David Bernhardt has in his short time in office proven to be an even worse Secretary of Interior than Ryan Zinke. Below are DOCUMENTED reasons why he should be removed from office before he further destroys conservation & wildlife. Below I discuss not only Bernhardt's Interior but other wildlife conservation problems created by Trump.

#877: Bernhardt tries to authorize loser as Acting Director of BLM without going to the Senate where Pendley wouldn’t have a chance to be approved. This just continues poor quality staff put in positions of power for which they have no qualifications—witness Skipwith as USFWS head who did not meet minimum reqts. of professional expertise in the area & whose only qualifications were she worked as lobbyist & for pesticide co. See https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2019/07/29/stories/1060807047

#874: CEQ set up special email for industry to support NEPA rule changes. CEQ spokesperson (Dan Schneider) denied it but Electrek.co tested & found it was true. Only latest example of CEQ lying & manipulating NEPA comment process. CEQ’s (January 10, 2020) announcement of the proposed NEPA rule changes in the Federal Register was filled with vague and misleading statements such as the following:

It states that they had received over “12,500 comments” and that “some commenters opposed all changes.

It states that ”other commenters” urged revisions.

It states that “most of the substantive” comments supported “some updating of regulations.

It states that “many noted the overly lengthy documents.”

It states that “in general, numerous commenters requested CEQ modernize its regulations.”

I have highlighted certain of CEQ’s words that describe their “analysis” of the comments. If you go to the online listing of all of 12,500 comments which are available at regulations.gov (see bibliography for full URL), you will see that the HUGE majority of comments are strongly against these revisions. CEQ provides absolutely no statistical analysis of the comments at all which is not surprising because such an analysis would invalidate all of the above points! Secondly, they employ vague descriptive terms such as “some,” “other,” and most of the substantive (How did they decide what was a substantive comment?!) to support these changes. It is easy to see that their interpretation is biased, ignoring the majority opinion. This is the normal situation with Trump’s Interior—they consistently ignore the vast majority of public comments and listen only to the comments of their industry friends.See https://electrek.co/2020/04/10/egeb-white-house-nepa-email-address-department-energy-hydrokinetic-turbine-technology/https://www.regulations.gov/docketBrowser?rpp=25&so=DESC&sb=commentDueDate&po=12400&dct=PS&D=CEQ-2018-0001

#871: USFWS Skipwith to allow hunting in Rhode Is. Nat. Wildlife Refuge. On hunting days, “No other activities will be allowed!” What else is new? Skipwith & Bernhardt push more hunting in refuges including killing cub-pups in dens, use of lead bullets, & pesticides. They are truly disgusting & Skipwith’s constant tweeting about cute animals is the ultimate in hypocrisy. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2020/06/01/stories/1063291455

#868: The Trump Way with IG’s: Interior Asst. Sec. Domenech was found guilty of unethical behavior by Interior IG. But IGs under Trump have no power—if they tell truth, they are fired. So most IGs avoid angering top officials. Interior IG tried to interview EPA 6 X about Domenech & was refused each time! Just like Bernhardt & Interior, EPA refuses oversight from ANYONE and what’s worse, they get away with it! See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2020/06/01/stories/1063286457

#867: Interior Asst Sec Domenech found guilty of violating ethics rules of trying to help relatives get hired by EPA! Interior’s Response? They have hired more ethics officials! Only thing that will make a difference is to fire this hack now. Of course, entire Interior top officials from Bernhardt on down have had ethical violations & stay in office so don’t hold your breath about this bum getting kicked out! They need a police official for each top employee & they need to be willing to kick each and every bum out! See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2020/05/29/stories/1063266259

#863: Trump-Bernhardt says Native Americans have “no standing” in Bears Ears! Antiquities Act is to protect Native cultural sites & artifacts because he says they are “abstract.” Remember this next time Bernhardt bullshits about listening to Native Americans! See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2020/05/27/stories/1063248519

#862: Interior IG Greenblatt will not be fired by Trump!: He looks other way & okays misuse of fee $ by Dept. during shutdown. Like Interior’s so-called ethics” official,” he focused “only on process” & ignored question of legality of the funding source—GAO found that it was illegal! See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/stories/1063108721

#861: More lousy Administration from Pendley-Bernhardt: Judge threw out 440 leases in prime sage grouse habitat which never should have been approved. Problem again is that only Federal judges stand between Davy & desolation of public lands & with Trump-McConnell’s stooges infiltrating the judiciary, this safety will be ending soon. See https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2020/05/26/stories/1063240981

#860: Oh no, Bernhardt to return to work—wildlife & conservationists put on your bullet-proof vests & get ready for drilling & fracking. It’s great for the Rangers & other front-line workers to get back but the more the Bernhardt’s top stooges do, the more harm they achieve. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2020/05/26/stories/1063239771

#858: USFWS uses “protect deliberative process” excuse to withhold “biological opinions” from End Species Case about cooling water infrastructure at power plants! They have used same phony excuse in refusing Bears Ears docs. These docs. are biological opinions written by scientists—how can basic withholding basic facts be justified? It would render entire FOIA meaningless if they get away with it & that’s exactly what they want! See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2020/05/22/stories/1063204927

#857: Energy industry wants to lease land near Arches Nat. Park. Will Utah politicos & BLM let them? Gov. Hebert got drilling under Sliprock Trail cancelled but only 2 parcels involved. If not “de minimis”, will he object? If big bucks for industry involved, expect to see BLM & Utah politicos to lay down! See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2020/05/22/stories/1063205239

#855: Read great High Country News article on how BLM is waiving royalties on oil despite fact that states like Texas are trying to LIMIT drilling. BLM’s using COVID as excuse but even oil industry lobbyist Sgamma president of the Western Energy Alliance says problem is too much oil, NOT COVID. These new BLM policies were enacted by “highest levels” (=Bernhardt & Pendley) w/o usual consultation. Time for Scott de la Vega to get ready to forgive Bernhardt for violating ethics again! I have been tracking daily the bad acts of Interior & they have always been numerous. But in the past month, they have risen to ridiculous numbers! They are rushing to do as much bad as they can before they are booted from office! See https://www.hcn.org/articles/south-bureau-of-land-management-ailing-oil-companies-get-a-pass-on-royalties?utm_source=wcn1&utm_medium=email

#854: Interior “Ethics” Official de la Vega is a joke! Read about how he “disciplined” Assistant Interior Secretary for Insular and International Affairs Doug Domenech who met with his former employer, Texas Public Policy Fdtn. —nothing is done other than watch some powerpoint slides! De la Vega excused him because he hadn’t signed an “ethics pledge” yet! There are 3 X as many ethics officials in Interior as 2 yrs. Ago but the same pandering to industry occurs. There is no substance to de la Vega & other Interior ethics officials. If they want to meet with their former industry employers, all they have to do is ask de la Vega or or another of the 62 ethics officials & they will be glad to give it. Oh, they’re not supposed to talk about worked on while employed but they are free to give favors to their former employers about any new projects they have! After meeting with his former employer, Domenech emailed them and told them “Keep fighting!” de la Vega said “this could be a violation of ethical rules but “he would need more context to make a legal opinion about it”! Domenech says he’s “more sensitive now!” All he would have had to do to make de la Vega happy was to “seek a waiver from DOI’s Ethics Office” which they would be glad to provide! Impact of 62+ ethics officials (they are hiring 6 more soon!) on Interior ethics is Zero—might as well save $ & use for conservation—Interior ethics are trash! https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2020/05/21/stories/1063196349 & https://www.eenews.net/assets/2020/05/21/document_gw_06.pdf

#852: Bernhardt Stonewalls House Again! NR Comm. asked for BASIC DATA on royalty relief given by BLM to industry & he refused to provide it. Said that info was available on out-of-date & inaccurate public database. Why the hell won’t an agency provide basic data to the Congressional Committee that oversees them??! Bernhardt should be impeached! It’s only the latest in long line of his stonewalling & so far getting away with. The only thing this lackey understands is action—impeach the creep! See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2020/05/21/stories/1063191269

#851: Public Citizen Report shows Bernhardt & Interior meet mostly with Energy Industry—2/3 of meetings with them vs. 9% with conservation--& Large Portion of so-called “conservation” meetings were with Trophy Hunting Groups that supported Bernhardt for his job like Ducks Unlimited, Teddy Roosevelt Con. Part., Rocky Mtn. Elk Fdtn. ! His Deputy, Kate MacGregor met ONLY with industry groups! No wonder when industry needs help for their interests, they call “KATE!” See https://www.citizen.org/wp-content/uploads/fossilfilled-final.pdf​#850: Skipwith’s USFWS allows Slob Hunting in Alaska National Wildlife Preserves—including shooting pups & cubs in dens, baiting, dogs, artificial lights, & motorboats. This disgusting action of Skipwith's takes place while she daily tweets & “coos” about wildlife. Shows what she really is—a phony whose only constituency is trophy hunters! See https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2020/05/20/stories/1063188739

#849: Trump just ordered Interior & EPA to cut their regulations & “to make it environmentally good WHEN RELEVANT”!!! When would “environmentally good regs.” be relevant?? The correct answer is: Always!! However, from Trump viewpoint=Only if it doesn’t cost industry a cent! Bernhardt’s crew have already decimated regs. that are “environmentally good” & don’t require urging to do this! They are a clear & present danger to the environment. See https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2020/05/19/stories/1063180183

#848: BLM new argument for okaying oil-gas leasing under lakes: “the region is ALREADY significantly developed &…sale a SMALL addition.”!!! No wonder they want to rush drilling in ANWR, Tongass etc. Once they destroy the pristine areas, they will make the same argument for more drilling: See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2020/05/19/stories/1063178559

#847: BLM-Bernhardt-Pendley now Stonewalling Federal Courts just as they have stonewalled Congress for years! They submitted revised Sage Grouse Plan that did not analyze cumulative effects or require compensatory mitigation court mandated. BLM also does not plan to enforce grazing permit rqmnts! (They want to let all permittees be like Bundy & ignore them!). The so-called revised plan also fails to use large-scale cross-state planning so their plan is made-up of uncoordinated piecemeal state plans. The new plan removes ban on mining in >250,000 acres of best sagebrush habitat for the grouse! BLM admits this but responds “the development may or MAY NOT not occur in sensitive areas!” This is similar to Bernhardt’s allowance of pesticides because they MAY NOT be used to their legal limit! (See #681 below). The plan also ignores requirements for cumulative effects—they believe cumulative harm doesn’t matter! For stonewalling the courts, they should be jailed for contempt of court! Who wouldn’t want to see Bernhardt’s fat ass behind bars? Read Thuermer’s excellent WYOFILE article at https://www.wyofile.com/scientists-reworked-blm-plan-still-fails-to-protect-sage-grouse/

#844: Alaskan oil payments at risk so may have to cut $ or budget! Maybe, just maybe, Alaskan politicians some day may realize that their prosperity and health depend on giving priority to conserving their fantastic wilderness, not drilling & logging! See https://www.eenews.net/energywire/2020/05/15/stories/1063136487

#843: Trump-Bernhardt don’t believe in considering aggregate emissions when there are “multiple facilities nearby.” Poor quality air is due to ALL emissions & ignoring aggregate is plain stupid. It’s the same story as ignoring cumulative effects caused by oil-gas-coal on climate change—Trump-Bernhardt want to ignore that too. See no evil & hear no evil when industry interests are concerned! See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2020/05/15/stories/1063144201

#842: USGAO is going to review Interior grants! They certainly should since Int. gets rid of any that don’t “align with Admin. priorities” (i.e., they are science-based & not pro-industry). Problem: Int. ignores GAO rulings & uses lackey IG & “ethics” employees to thumb their noses at GAO & Congress. See https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2020/05/14/stories/1063136345

#841: NGO’s spur Endangered List, not USFWS! Another ex. today when USFWS added fisher to the list. Without CBD & other NGO’s, few threatened animals would make it. No wonder, some yahoos in Congress want to make it harder or impossible for NGOs to enforce ESA! See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2020/05/14/stories/1063135211​#840: Watch out when Bernhardt uses the word “COMMONSENSE.” He just allowed weakening of offshore drilling emission regs. He & industry lackey MacGregor use the word to mean: “Forget about evmnt. & conservation,” focus on industry profits! See https://www.eenews.net/stories/1061111333/

#839: Interior makes it impossible for citizens to have inspection when their state office ignores their complaints—which happens often. Interior wants to ease federal enforcement at mines. It's all part of their move to make Interior "safe for industry" & a stonewall to public! https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2020/05/13/stories/1063126301

#838: Make Bundy pay fees due & stop his illegal actions on PUBLIC lands. Of course, that would take some spine & integrity which is lacking in BLM & Interior. He’s built irrigation structures that are illegal themselves for cattle that are also illegal! See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2020/05/13/stories/1063126497

#835: Why Federal rules and standards should prevail to “manage” grizzlies & wolves: Wyoming wants to keep same pop. goal for grizzlies even if they use diff. counting method that would show big increase in pop. Why? It would allow them to kill 500 bears! See their obfuscation in Thuermer’s excellent Wyofile story—they have proven time & again they can’t be trusted to preserve them. Although Federal laws are more protective, under Trump, USFWS leadership is worse than most states. The only real protection under Trump is Federal laws like ESA & Federal judges who will enforce them. See https://www.wyofile.com/judges-question-wyomings-case-on-grizzly-numbers/

#833: Interior’s IG ignores major issue of using park fees illegally to keep parks open that supposed to be reserved for maintenance & future work—GAO has already condemned them for it. But Interior IG, like their so-called “ethics” officials—see no evil=Bernhardt’s Yes-men. Note that Int. used $ to help “planned hunts” take place—Bernhardt can’t do too much for trophy hunters—but future of the parks be damned! See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2020/05/11/stories/1063108721

#831: The Southeast Alaska Con. Council used FOIA to discover 96% of “unique” letters sent on Tongass opposed rule change as did vast majority of Alaskans who testified at local hearings. This should mean that the NO CHANGE option, not the least restrictive (pushed by Forest Service). But with Trump, majority opinion doesn’t matter—Industry First! See https://www.seacc.org/foia_roadlessrule

#830: Read revealing article by High County News of recording of Pendley trying to explain BLM move to its employees! Basic pts: Neither Pendley nor other staff had anything to do with it—it’s all due to Bernhardt! More importantly, most of these staff do jobs that involve wking w/Congress & other agencies which needs to be done in Wash.D.C.! 97% of BLM employees are already in West! BLM threatened to take away New Mx. Jobs because Sen. Udall opposed move but Pendley couldn’t answer how these decisions would be made’”Can’t explain” he said! What messed up & corrupt org. this is under Trump-Bernhardt-Pendley! See https://www.hcn.org/issues/51.17/bureau-land-management-how-blm-employees-really-feel-about-moving-west?utm_source=wcn1&utm_medium=email

#829: UN study shows that forests continue to vanish, especially old growth due to actions of Bolsonaro & his ilk (Trump). We should expect professionals in Interior and EPA to raise alarms about this but don’t hold your breath—Trump-Bernhardt have silenced them. See https://www.eenews.net/climatewire/2020/05/08/stories/1063075139

#828: Hey Stupid Bernhardt & Skipwith: Your NEPA changes propose ignoring climate change but Interior’s Website says: Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time. We are already seeing its effects with rising seas, catastrophic wildfires and water shortages. These changes are not only having a dramatic impact on diverse ecosystems but also on the wildlife that call these places home. If we don’t act on climate now, this list is just the tip of the iceberg of what we can expect in years to come. Future generations shouldn’t just see these animals in history books -- we owe it to them to protect these creatures and their habitats. Taken from Interior Website today at https://www.doi.gov/blog/9-animals-are-feeling-impacts-climate-change

#825: Worst Hire the Worst: Trump Hires Bernhardt, Bernhardt Hires Pendley. Another example of Bernhardt avoiding accountability: he hires somebody too bad to get Senate approval so he makes him permanent temp. This must be illegal. Otherwise, approval of Senate is meaningless! See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2020/05/05/stories/1063056889

#822: Bird watching soars under corona virus. Indeed, wildlife watching has expanded consistently over the past 50 yrs. while hunting has steadily declined but USFWS & Interior talk about NOTHING but trophy hunting. They are either oblivious to facts or stupid. Check out the stupid tweets of David Bernhardt & Aurelia Skipwith! Skipwith talks about some cute species but ignores her support of weakening of migratory bird treaty and ESA, etc. etc. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2020/05/04/stories/1063047273

#821: Interior-BLM-Bernhardt Consultation with Native Americans: Every once in a while Interior, Bernhardt et al. states how they consult with tribes. Well, let’s see what they do with Chaco—tribes are asking for more time due to corona. Indeed, Interior is trying to CUT TIME for public comments in NEPA reviews. It is part of their Stonewalling Policy—don’t let public see what we are doing for our lobby friends! https://www.eenews.net/energywire/2020/05/04/stories/1063040609

#819: Great article by Franz Camenzind on BLM’s reckless frenzy to lease lands while there’s oil glut & < half of lands already leased have not been developed! Evidence that today’s bids rushed w/o adequate impact analysis. Once leased, have for 10 yrs which are usually extended even if not developed. One more proof that Bernhardt & Pendley are poor administrators handing over public lands for cents. See https://www.wyofile.com/hit-pause-on-blm-oil-and-gas-leasing-during-pandemic-energy-bust/

#818: Bernhardt replaces in-house career admin. law judges with political ideologues! They claimed to use a “rigorous” recruitment process! Who did they turn up? Prandoni has < 2yrs legal experience—his real qualifications are that he worked for Mike Lee fighting to have fed. lands transferred to states. Lechner qualification? He worked for Mountain States Legal Fdntn. that opposes Fed. lands! There has not been a single Bernhardt appointment that has not involved lobbyists and/or conservative Republican ideologues. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2020/05/01/stories/1063022081 & https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2020/05/01/stories/1063022081

#817: Interior’s new Policy & Budget chief, Scott Cameron, like predecessors has lobbied for extractive industries & G.W. Bush Admin. so he will fit in nicely with the other industry lackeys. However, he’s not as NOTORIOUSLY anti-conservation like Susan Combs, Budd-Falen, & Pendley so I wouldn’t be surprised if Bernhardt finds someone even worse. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2020/04/30/stories/1063013119

#814: USFWS got audit report LAST JULY that showed serious misuse of funds to protect lesser prairie chicken but kept it buried & STILL can’t comment on it. Their excuse: The report is long and they are SLOW READERS! We know Skipwith is busy doing innocuous tweets & praising trophy hunters so not surprising. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2020/04/29/stories/1063004621

#812: USFWS reduces by huge amount snakes critical habitat & justify by saying there is scientific disagreement! Ecological science says PRECAUTIONARY principle, err on side of conservation when there is uncertainty. Just 1 more example of USFWS under Skipwith, anti-conservation & stupid. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2020/04/27/stories/1062986809

#810: Why hasn’t media & Congress told Trump that Trillion Tree plan is STUPID when he’s cutting old growth forests & wilderness areas & applauding Bolsonaro’s destruction of Amazon? This is as stupid as his bleach advise. Use $ for trees to protect and/or purchase valuable habitat for conservation that is now continually being destroyed! See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2020/04/27/stories/1062979609

#807: Bernhardt’s ethics app: Erases all messages sent or received without a trace. Guaranteed to elude FOIA requests & even if you get caught, de la Vega will say it’s okay. Even better, it’s paid for by industry who will handsomely reward employees when they leave to work for industry—you will be repaying them then! See https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2020/04/22/stories/1062944341

#806: USGAO report shows that 42% of Applications to Drill were unused & vast majority will continue to be unused! Furthermore, this in time of High Oil Prices! Yet BLM continues to rush leasing & drilling thru ANWR, Tongass, monuments, wilderness areas, & forests. Why? They want to despoil everything thing they can before Trump is booted out! See https://www.eenews.net/assets/2020/04/23/document_ew_01.pdf

#805: Great article by Westwise’s Andre Miller detailing the Waste that BLM is making of public lands in West. Ridiculously low rate charges for leased lands, non-competitive bidding, about half of leased the land leased is idle, has removed 13.5 Million acres from protection, leased land even in big game corridors!, energy industry itself runs leasing process, low royalty rates compared to states & inadequate bonding to compensate for damage, no excuse now for low bids to incentivize industry b/c most lands productivity known, much leasing is non-competitive & thus giveaways, & most non-competitive bid land is idle. In short, entire leasing program is OUTMODED and needs UPDATING (Yes, leasing is what needs to be modernize, not End. Species Act!). See https://medium.com/westwise/americas-public-lands-giveaway-6bf395d759c0

#802: Interior’s Hunting and Shooting Sports Conservation Council is trying to strategize to protect all out Trump Gun Happy Trophy Hunting decisions and biases. It would be nice if these bozos started paying attention to the great harm that massive numbers of cows & sheep do to wildlife on public lands including “game” or to cuts in monuments and wilderness that Pendley-Bernhardt have made. But No, they can’t see beyond the ends of their noses. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2020/04/20/stories/1062925839

#800: Susan Combs Interior exit interview: boring without insight! The only thing she is proud of is BLM relocation! That’s truly a failure! She is described as “good-humored”?? She got a lot of chuckles over letting Texas oil industry police themselves for protecting species. See http://www.mrt.com/news/article_1b412efc-b8a7-11e4-86ef-df1fa67f0cae.html For her industry friendly approach to enforcement!

#798: Scott de la Vega & Interior Ethics: It’s STILL the Wild West. de la Vega implies that he has stopped wild west but in fact he continues to “find no evidence” of Bernhardt improper interference--Only difference: he now requires Bernhardt to get written approval of unethical acts & de la Vega approves them! He discovered that Bernhardt had not obtained written consent in case but he did not rule against him! What a phony & coward de la Vega is. Both he & Bernhardt are full of Bullshit. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2020/04/16/stories/1062891013

#797: One More Proof: Only voices in favor of wildlife conservation are Federal Judges and environmental NGOs. Judge just killed Keystone Pipeline due to End. Species Act. USFWS officials (e.g., Skipwith) who are SUPPOSED to speak for wildlife, but instead approve all industry violations. Bad Portent: this ruling was made by an Obama appointee: with Trump judges taking over judiciary, future decisions will rule against conservation. See https://www.eenews.net/energywire/2020/04/16/stories/1062885739

#795: What is BLM & Interior going to do about Bundy’s illegal grazing on public lands? Good article in High Country News on Bundy’s & how their Mormon “theology” views land that is not being USED as displeasing to God & how once Mormons move into area, the “land is theirs” even though Native Americans were there first. There is LOTS of ILLEGAL grazing on public lands & BLM is doing NOTHING about it. Call this the Lawless Administration. See https://www.hcn.org/articles/south-public-lands-how-mormon-history-helps-explain-todays-public-land-fights?utm_source=wcn1&utm_medium=emai

#794: Susan Combs leave Interior—Hurrah! This rancher & ESA hater never should have been in the job in first place so good riddance! She handed over enforcement of wildlife protections to the oil industry while in Texas so Bernhardt rewarded her for her terrible performance by giving her the job! Bad thing is Bernhardt will appoint someone else bad (tho they can’t be worse!). See https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2020/04/13/stories/1062866123

#793: USFWS admits that opening wildlife refuges to more hunting “won’t add revenue to local economies & hunting represents only 5% of all visits to them. So why the hell did they approve this stupidity? The dominant use of these refuges is supposed to be conservation--not killing! Bernhardt-Skipwith pander to trophy hunters & don’t give a damn about wildlife conservation. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2020/04/13/stories/1062864611

#791: BLM’s “Balanced” plan for Colorado’s North Fork: It opens 10,000 acres to oil-gas leasing. BLM’s Washington Office took issue with the Colorado BLM that wanted to protect sage grouse & other species & also because they wanted to increase lands managed for environmental concern & wilderness characteristics! BLM Washington removed these protections! So much for bullshit about moving BLM West to change dmaking! See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2020/04/09/stories/1062830125

#790: Skipwith & USFWS to open 8 Additional Wildlife REFUGES to hunting! She tweets about cute bears but panders to trophy hunters! She supports weakening Mig. Bird Treaty. What more can you say about this unqualified lobbyist? What a disgrace? Does she even know what the word REFUGE means?! Can’t wait for her next tweets about wildlife—what a hypocrite. See https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2020/04/08/stories/1062822253

#789: Inspector Generals (IGs) under Trump & Bernhardt: If IGs do their job, Trump fires them. Interior IGs dismiss or ignore clear ethical breaches by Trump, Pendley, & others—in recent case, never even contacted complainant. This unaccountable Admin. tries to weaken public access & input under FOIA & NEPA. They are lawless. I hope that when they are replaced next year, that Bernhardt et al. will be investigated & finally held accountable. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2020/04/08/stories/1062821375

#788: I read with interest Skipwith’s desire to recruit minorities to USFWS. Seriously, if you truly want to do this, Aurelia, set an example for them by standing up for Wildlife & prioritizing them over energy-ranching-trophy hunting. So far, you have chosen industry over wildlife every time you were faced with a choice. You are setting a horrible example—especially for minorities who want to pursue a career in conservation. By standing up for wildlife, you would inspire them! See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2020/04/06/stories/1062568163

#785: One more bad effect of energy dominance: As energy companies go bankrupt due to falling prices, they will be abandoning wells & not doing promised cleanups. You won't hear about this from Interior, Bernhardt, Pendley--masters of stonewalling & non-transparency. See https://www.eenews.net/energywire/2020/04/03/stories/1062772009

#784: Who will replace Pendley as next Acting BLM Director? Place your bets. Based on Bernhardt’s past staff choices, the odds are high that the next one will have worked for energy-rancher industries either directly or as a lobbyist. (S)he will not have a background in conservation or ecology-related science—that wouldn’t be fitting for Energy Above All Else Trump Regime—they don’t trust people who believe in science. See https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2020/04/03/stories/1062779059

#783: Oh, Oh for Energy Dominance: National Mining Asso. is losing its coal base & will have to rely on companies engaged in renewables for its future. Rather than being the beginning of new era of fossil fuel dominance, Trump-Bernhardt regime will be the end of this madness. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2020/04/03/stories/1062777429

#782: Detailed case study of how oil refinery benzene emissions have caused numerous cancers in New Mexico town, Artesia. The company, HollyFrontier Corp. has donated millions to lobby Congress & agencies. One more example of how Trump-Bernhardt brag about benefits of energy dominance & ignore its terrible downsides. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2020/04/02/stories/1062744005

#779: Nothing Stops BLM & Interior from doing bad! They are indefatigable in their evil. They continue working on plan to lease land near Chaco Culture National Park despite COVID crisis & strong opposition from state and local actors. So much for their supposed move to listen better to “their clients.” See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2020/03/31/stories/1062751629

#778: Very funny report that Skipwith is working 80 hour wks. “fighting COVID!!” Wish she could spend even ONE HOUR protecting migratory bird treaty whose weakening is going forward despite COVID! She certainly has plenty of time for trite tweet posts! See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2020/03/30/stories/1062742505

#777: Species Threatened by Climate Change & Other Inexorable Forces but no one doing anything. Study shows whales getting hit by ships more often due to warming waters & deviating from safe lanes. USFWS is busy opening oceans to drilling & seismic tests—in other words, increasing threat, not lessening. Only solution: replacement of this Energy Dominance Admin. See https://www.eenews.net/climatewire/2020/03/30/stories/1062735025

#776: Trump & Interior want to “modernize” NEPA & ESA! These laws are more crucial than ever with the vanishing of species, wilderness, & cuts in monuments. There are laws that BADLY need Modernizing: Mining Act of 1872 which set price of mining public land at ridiculously low price that remains unchanged! The Taylor Grazing Act (1934) handed over (now BLM) lands to welfare ranchers who have dominated admin. of these lands ever since (attempts at reform have failed.) Justification for recent BLM move is to move closer to these welfare yahoos when they already spit on any restrictions. So stop the bullshit about “modernizing” & update these outmoded laws that benefit tiny # at the expense of NATIONAL interests & environmental quality. See https://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/utley-mackintosh/interior1.htmhttps://www.encyclopedia.com/environment/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/taylor-grazing-act-1934​​#775: BLM not satisfied with destroying ANWR, Tongass, Pebble Mine Now Wants to build road thru Alaskan wilderness. Not Corona virus or shutdowns stops Pendley-BLM from doing harm to conservation. Science shows harm done by roads to wildlife & conservation. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2020/03/27/stories/1062716783

#774: Time for Skipwith & any professionals left in USFWS to speak up for Birds: You are the ONLY unit in government directly responsible for prioritizing wildlife but you have done NOTHING—favoring industry over birds in cutting Migratory Bird Treaty. If you don’t do this, there is NO EXCUSE for you having your job. Everyone else in Interior speaks for industry—none for species. See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2020/03/27/stories/1062709059

#773: Trump-Repubs. want to “MODERNIZE” NEPA—What does that mean? The law has succeeded in ensuring that science & harmful effects of projects be taken into consideration in dmking. Trump et al.—don’t like that—anything that restrains industry from doing what they want is bad. Modernize means EMASCULATE—return to days when industry could do what they wanted regardless of envmntal harm. It is Trump & his lackeys who need to be “fixed.” See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2020/03/25/stories/1062699315

#772: Interior’s Budget Ritual: Propose cutting conservation & other programs—Congress ignores cuts—then take credit for programs! Tried to cut 53 Mill. From End. Species Prog.—but Congress gave it 54 M! Tried to cut Indians Arts & Crafts Bd.—Congress refused & then Interior took credit for grads of program! Tried to cut LCWF program but reversed when Repub. Senators told Trump they were in trouble over it! Should Change Bernhardt’s title to Secretary of Bullshit. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2020/03/25/stories/1062620453

#770: Too Many Wild horses vs. Too Many Cattle?! NYT article discusses crisis with what BLM says is too many wild horses w/o mentioning that BY FAR most damage to public lands is being done by too many cattle on public lands & they are there because public lands ranchers unproductive grazing is subsidized by public $. This point has been documented by many such as Debra L. Donahue, Western Grazing: The Capture of Grass, Ground, and Government, 35 Envtl. L. 721, 2005, pp.721-806 & many others. It’s also been documented that BLM failed to enforce environmental rules on these ranchers—see accounts of government & other workers in Mike Hudak’s Western Turf Wars. The article shows that the emphasis on harm done by wild horses (which can be harmful but on a much smaller scale then cattle) is accepted wisdom by media while overwhelming evidence of harm by cattle is ignored. It’s time to change this storyline. For NYT story, see https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/22/us/mustang-crisis-west.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=edit_th_200322&campaign_id=2&instance_id=16974&segment_id=22534&user_id=1575e2a05f37205a27ca72946056eae7&regi_id=103654190322

#768: Safari Club lawyer put in charge of Intl Affairs for USFWS! Not satisfied with killing wildlife by weakening ESA, cutting bird migratory treaty & compensatory mitigation, now have another trophy hunter in charge. Maybe she can find out how Trump Jr. got away with killing endangered species w/o permit! There is nothing too outrageous for Bernhardt-Skipwith to engaged in. When will ANYONE in USFWS or Interior, speak about need to STRENGTHEN protections for wildlife??!! Not until this Administration is booted out! https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2020/03/20/stories/1062655675

#767: BLM blames Corona for not responding to FOIA requests about Pendley’s new policy to “defer to local officials.!” Just as Bernhardt sends 1000s pages of irrelevant docs. but not needed docs. or staff, Pendley will dodge accountability b/c that’s what this swampy Dept. does automatically. The big joke is supposedly BLM moved West in order to get closer to “clients” when it is proven that they bend down whenever oil-gas-coal-rancher industries & state-local Repubs. dispute any attempt to enforce evmntal stds. So far Bernhardt et al. have gotten away with it. I hope change in Senate hands will finally bring them to account. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2020/03/20/stories/1062655661​#766: Corona doesn’t stop Interior from doing evil: Despite the crisis, they are moving ahead to take away protections from migratory birds! Just as they’re continuing to lease land for oil-gas when the world is afloat w/too much! Nothing will stop these swampy industry lackeys from benefitting their future employers. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2020/03/19/stories/1062646625

#765: Just as govt. shutdown didn’t slow Interior’s plans for drilling oceans, Coronavirus is not stopping their lease sales even tho worldwide demand for fossil fuels has tanked. They’re stupid but unfortunately working ceaselessly to make things worse. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2020/03/17/stories/1062629183

#763: Bernhardt-Pendley BLM Move conforms to Worst Administrative Practices according to GAO. Bernhardt claims to be great administrator but has failed to conform to best practices. See https://www.gao.gov/assets/710/705175.pdf

#761: Read incredibly phony turnarounds by Trump, Bernhardt, Combs on LCWF funding. They only wanted funding if from oil-gas-coal but now suddenly for direct $. Shows how scared Trump et al. are about the fact that they have done NOTHING but destroy the evmnt. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2020/03/04/stories/1062516497​

#760: Trump Tweets support for LWCF despite fact that he & Bernhardt cut the funds for it sharply in this year’s budget! As usual for Trump & Bernhardt, BULLSHIT! See https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2020/03/03/stories/1062508877

#758: Injuries & Oil spills are way up under Trump’s Bur. Safety & Enforcement. They say drop in enforcement due to “better compliance!” Yeah, just like Bundy & other welfare ranchers are ignoring BLM rules and payments! More damage from energy dominance fixation to oceans & species. See https://www.eenews.net/energywire/2020/03/03/stories/1062500895

#757: Why EPA & Bernhardt’s ethical transgressions haven’t been discovered: EPA has resisted GAO efforts to audit them. Just like Bernhardt, they demand only they collect documents b/c of “confidentiality.” Bullshit! This is how they have gotten away with it & it’s time for Congress to call them to account. See https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2020/03/02/stories/1062500143

#756: Bernhardt’s old lobby firm, Westlands, just got a huge contract that will harm species. Bernhardt will claim that he has not violated ethics & issue 1000s of irrelevant pages to back up. Bullshit—Need independent investigation into the slimy one. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2020/03/02/stories/1062498809

#754: Army Corps have strong evidence that Pacific NW salmon are becoming extinct but refuse to breach dams to save them because of industry even tho studies show economic benefits of breaching outweigh costs. Trump Admin. is consistent: Every time faced with choice between conservation & industry, they choose latter. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2020/02/28/stories/1062472771

#747: Now Repubs. want to “modernize” NEPA just as they want to “modernize” ESA. With ESA, it means taking away protections & handing it over to the states and doing cost benefit analysis. What does that mean for NEPA? Less review & input from scientists/citizens & domination by industry. https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2020/02/24/stories/1062439035

#746: Forest Service: Dedicated to Energy Dominance (ED) 1st over Appalachian Trail. Just as USFWS chooses energy dominance over endangered species, FS prioritizes ED over their real missions. Who the hell represents conservation in Admin.?! NO ONE! See https://www.eenews.net/energywire/2020/02/24/stories/1062432239

#743: Who runs public lands in West? Not BLM, For. Serv., or USFWS! Who does? The Bundys & their followers. The Bundy crew carry arms & are willing to use them & despite their small #s, they intimidate Govt. officials & law enforcement. Sheriffs & County politicians bow down to them & other welfare ranchers. What is needed is for someone to pay attention to the MAJORITY of Westerns who reject Bundy & want more conservation & less drilling-cows. Current leadership of Interior welcome Bundy & his terrorism. Read Case Study https://www.hcn.org/issues/52.3/north-sagebrush-rebellion-the-residual-power-of-ammon-bundy?utm_source=wcn1&utm_medium=email

#741: Bipartisan poll of Westerns conclusively shows they want more conservation, less drilling & energy dominance! & BLM is moving West to get closer to these views??!!---No, just views of ranchers-energy industry. This is data. Pendley-Bernhardt=Bullshit. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2020/02/20/stories/1062403245

#740: Proposed Arizona bill would outlaw sharing of state data with Feds concerning endangered species! What a joke? If some trophy hunter in Az killed a Mexican wolf & got caught—Trump would pardon him & Skipwith would give him a medal. Nobody currently at Federal level gives a damn about wildlife. But Arizona law shows mindset of Republicans if ESA is handed over to state control as Repubs. want. Forget speciesA is handed over to state control as Repubs. want. Forget endangered species-let wolf-haters & industry do what they want. ​See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2020/02/19/stories/1062394203

#739: Time for Democrats in Colorado & Wyoming to show they care about endangered species like Sage Grouse. BLM trying to get thru court order protecting Obama grouse plan & Dems. Policy & Gordon are helping them! Time to show them who their core constituency is. Judge ruled “BLM substantially reduces protections for sage grouse contrary to the best science… Silence of conservationists versus roars of few ranchers is why this is happening. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2020/02/19/stories/1062394283

#738: Public Ranchers Boss BLM—not other way around! GAO found lots of unauthorized grazing by livestock that can harm years of efforts on riparian areas—few paltry charges for it & BLM afraid to send even these bills. For most violations no penalties & even most serious violations bring only minimal charges & most done INFORMALLY so NO PUBLIC RECORD. In other words, excuse of moving BLM West to help ranchers is Bullshit—they need MORE OVERSIGHT! Not Less! Proof? see https://www.wyofile.com/armed-conflicts-impeded-u-s-grazing-oversight-gao/

#736: Pendley assures us his anti-public lands past doesn’t matter b/c he “follows orders.” Well, Trump/Bernhardt would be more than happy to give orders to sell them--if reelected. Check out great article that shows many actions Trump took (had to back off some due to opposition) to give away lands to state/private. Interior Asst Sec. Combs attended mtg of & lauded anti-Fed. Lands group that hates Fed. Land. Only reason why Trump/Interior has not tried to give away Fed. lands is cause he knows it is UNPOPULAR & would kill his reelection. If reelected, that restraint comes off & bye bye Fed. Lands. See https://www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-interior-department-public-lands-myron-ebell_n_5e45a6bcc5b6e095c6bcb614

#733: Fed. Judge just ruled that wild horses can be rounded up-main point of argument is that they harm the lands. Cows are FAR more numerous & harmful to land & welfare ranching costs more $ than paltry fees paid. GAO do a cost-benefit comparison of horses vs cows! See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2020/02/14/stories/1062350937

#728: Environmental groups submitted scientific studies to show damage Likely to occur due to cuts in Bird Migration Treaty. What science did Interior submit to support it? Actually, they agreed that this action would cause industry to CURTAIL mitigation! USFWS & Skipwith are happy with this! https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2020/02/12/stories/1062333299

#726: Trump is so panicky about Florida he’s “going green!” (Bullshit!) This is time to DEMAND NO DRILLING off Florida. Once he gives in on this, other states will follow. Neither him nor lackey Bernhardt talk energy dominance in Florida! Phonies! See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2020/02/12/stories/1062332971

#724: Trump on Trees: Do as I claim, not as I do! Trump-Bernhardt never saw forest they didn’t want to log or drill, Cut new public land purchases, want to thin forests but they support planting trillion trees?!!! Once again, phonies & liars. See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2020/02/12/stories/1062327741

#723: Trump cut Interior’s conservation programs bigtime—wiping out LCWF but is vastly expanding Jorjani’s office $. This is Koch lobbyist who is in charge of Ethics & weakened protections for Birds! Even Repubs. objected to his attempts to cut FOIA oversight! The worst get rewarded—professionals out the door under Bernhardt. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2020/02/11/stories/1062324431

#722: Need to Educate Skipwith: Her speech theme to Safari Club was need to educate non-hunters! She needs educating! Hunters #s are way down & result is LESS $ for wildlife in states. We need to Stop Focus on Hunting & switch to revs. from Viewing wildlife which is what 95% of pop. prefers. Skipwith knows NOTHING about conservation—only lobbying. See documentation at https://wildlifemanagement.institute/outdoor-news-bulletin/december-2019/excise-tax-snapshot

#721: Another Trump Conservation Cutback: He is eliminating the farmland conservation program! The next time Trump says something about doing conservation, someone should put a pie in his face! See https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2020/02/10/stories/1062316967​#720: Whit Fosburgh is a “bit disappointed” with Trump Jr. but says it “doesn’t matter which party…there have been really good conservation accomplishments”!! Please list these Trump accomplishments (other than approving lead bullets & small improvements in access for trophy hunters!) They CUT BACK MONUMENTS, T.R.’s BIGGEST contribution & are trying to eviscerate the law that creates them! https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2020/02/10/stories/1062315623

#716: Trump abandons attempt to use Yucca Mountain as nuclear dump which Republicans have supported forever. Why? Wants to win Nevada electoral votes. Proves once more IMPORTANCE of getting Interior Planning Documents for Ocean Drilling--they were working feverishly till it became clear Florida & other states would be at risk. This would scare the SH_T out of him, Bernhardt, & McGregor. Dems & Whistleblowers find those materials. See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2020/02/07/stories/1062284303

#714: Sham BLM staff used to fill new Colorado hdqtrs. They have been ordered to give “appearance” of activity. Great to see that Pendley & Bernhardt prove once again they are phonies & liars. Next they will invite the Bundy Clan there & rename the bldg. for Cliven. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2020/02/07/stories/1062289841

#712: USFWS brags about cost savings to industry by cutting bird protections!! They expect businesses “to cut or reduce mitigation” of harmful effects! This is the agency whose PURPOSE is to PROTECT species! This statement is incredible on the face of it & goes to show why Skipwith, Rob Wallace, Budd-Falen, & Combs are CLEAR & PRESENT dangers to nature. I hope the major media pick up on this incredible craziness. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2020/02/06/stories/1062280919

#710: People are flocking to Shrunken Monument Areas as Interior readies to give them to a tiny # welfare ranchers & energy industry execs so already people are showing their contempt for selfish giveaways. In the future, if left alone, would be INCREDIBLY valued (& worth far more from recreation than unproductive ranching) by the public. Trump’s name will live in infamy for destroying them. See https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2020/02/06/stories/1062282285

#709: Rob Wallace said “We hold large quiver of statutes to protect species! He just cut quiver for Mig. Birds & they have weakened ESA—the major arrow! Tell us Examples where You have USED QUIVER to protect species in face of sig. industry opposition! USFWS Phonies & Hypocrites All. See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2020/02/06/stories/1062273403

#707: Trump Likes trees?? His Interior has been cutting monuments, sacrificing public lands to cows that have caused fires & destroyed riparian areas where trees exist, & urging logging of forests. He applauded Brazil’s Pres. for destroying Amazon. More BS from the Pussy Grabber. https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2020/02/05/stories/1062270025

#706: BLM is struggling to fill top positions in new west Hdqrts with QUALIFIED candidates. Among jobs empty are those overseeing conservation of lands & endangered species. Check out who Bernhardt has hired to “protect species” in USFWS—Combs, Budd-Falen, & Skipwith—who hate ESA & NEPA with no interest in conservation. Davy will fill the slots but with UNQUALIFIED industry lackeys who will spit on the ESA & NEPA. https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2020/02/05/stories/1062272361

#705: Skipwith’s first big speech was to Safari Club. USFWS refuses to investigate Trump Jr.’s illegal shooting of end. sheep. Only “outdoor” interest of Bernhardt is Trophy Hunting. Teddy R. loved to hunt but he CREATED monuments! Welcome to new USFWS dedicated to Trump Jr. & the Safari Club! See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2020/02/04/stories/1062263397

#704: Rob Wallace, who just put industry ahead of migratory birds, knows his priorities—he is “jumping” to make firework happen for Trump at Mt. Rushmore. He & USFWS head Skipwith know their priorities: Do whatever Trump-Bernhardt want—don’t let goals of FWS interfere! See https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2020/02/03/stories/1062255795

#703: Repubs. who care about Evmnt: Trump wants to put mining near Boundary Waters. In every single case where industry wants to do something that will harm habitat, Trump’s Interior, EPA, Agric. Etc. give it to them. They don’t give a damn about evmnt. If you care, you need to vote for Representatives that will protect conservation--Trump's Admin. is rapidly destroying it. See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2020/02/03/stories/1062229455

#702: USFWS leadership: Rob Wallace, Asst Sec Fish & Wildlife, like Skipwith, wants to “clarify” Mig. Bird Treaty by REMOVING protections for birds! His agency is agency supposed to PROTECT wildlife! They HOPE industry will try to VOLUNTARILY MINIMIZE their harm! “Friends” like these do way more damage than POACHERS. Grill this hypocrite & make it clear where USFWS priorities are now—fully with industry. See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2020/02/03/stories/1062230055

#698: Utah, land of beautiful (while they last) parks & monuments that their politicos are now treating as garbage dump for ranchers & industry. They have provided the worst anti-ESA fanatics in U.S. A Key one, Rob Bishop to run for Lt. Gov.! Bye Bye Utah’s beauty, hello cow manure, mines, drills. See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2020/01/31/stories/1062223009

#696: House NR committee gives subpoena power to Grijalva. Subpoena is LONG OVERDUE for Bernhardt, Skipwith, McGregor--& not just for BLM move. Demand info on their planning for ocean drilling, for Trump Arizona donor & other scandals. Bernhardt provides tons of garbage to Congress & claims responsiveness! Bullshit! His so-called ethics people let him do whatever he wants & new IG so far is TOTAL NO SHOW. Davy et al. totally oppose accbty & openness—want to reduce public comments, both # & time, & evmntal reviews—No wonder, their pandering can’t stand up to public scrutiny. See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2020/01/31/stories/1062221525

#695: Trump Uses Worst Available Science to promote logging: Who’s surprised that USGS led by petroleum geologist unscrupulously used tragic Calif. fires to justify cutting forests? No one. There’s an overwhelming consensus that increased fires are due primarily to climate change but Bernhardt says he can’t do anything because Congress hasn’t FORCED him to! I don’t remember Congress forcing him to cut monuments orcompensatory mitigation or migratory bird protections. He did these because he loves to help his industry friends. No conservation-minded group would ever support Bernhardt & he is out to do everything a cowardly trophy hunter can do to destroy his enemies & wildlife. See https://www.hcn.org/articles/climate-desk-trump-administration-manipulated-wildfire-science-to-promote-logging?utm_source=wcn1&utm_medium=email

#694: EPA proposes to new restrictions on bee-killing chemicals despite evidence that they are putting them at risk. Expect USFWS head Skipwith to protest this action in order to protect bees. Oh that’s right, she’s a MONSANTO grad & loves pesticides. Too bad for the bees. https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2020/01/30/stories/1062221105

#693: USFWS faced with whether to cover both “unintentional” as well as intentional killing of migratory birds decided MBTA only covers “intentional” killing which often is IMPOSSIBLE TO PROVE. When faced with choice, Asst. Sec. for USFWS Rob Wallace chose industry & poachers. There is no longer anyone who prioritizes protection of wildlife in USFWS. See https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2020/01/30/stories/1062220961

#692: Trump to cut back on "extreme environmental enforcement." Their example of EXTREME Unfairness: “Landowners being hit with steep fines for building on federally protected wetlands.”!!! If such people are NOT STEEPLY fined, it would be an injustice! This is just one more example that Trump, Bernhardt et al. don't give a slightest damn about public lands or nature unless it is something they can shoot and hang on their wall. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2020/01/30/stories/1062219913

#690: BLM’s promotion of oil-based products "mineral day celebration" has drawn fire as it should but it actually just proves the point that this Pendley-led agency doesn’t give a damn about public lands other than to enable oil-gas-coal-welfare ranching exploit them. There is not a single leadership position in BLM who is concerned with conservation. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2020/01/29/stories/1062211181

#689: Forest Service wants to let gold mining company police itself! Susan Combs, USFWS top staff person, pushed to have Energy industry police their “protection” of end. species in Texas. In Trump Admin, since Interior top staff is entirely filled with industry hacks, it no longer matter whether Interior or industry do the policing, either way, nothing will be done that harms industry profits. See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2020/01/28/stories/1062196797

#689:Forest Service wants to let gold mining company police itself! As company points out, Interior agencies like BLM have also done this. Indeed, Susan Combs, USFWS top staff person, pushed to have Energy industry police their “protection” of end. species in Texas. Since Interior top staff is entirely filled with industry hacks, it may no longer matter whether Interior or industry police themselves, either way, nothing will be done that harms industry profits. See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2020/01/28/stories/1062196797

#687: Insult to Injury: BLM’s new HQ not only will put BLM staff in same bldg. with industry but it celebrates ROBERT BURFORD, James Watt’s BLM head. How can any conservation-minded Coloradan put up with this? Ban INDUSTRY from bldg.. & remove Watt’s lackey’s plaque! This is conservationist’s worst nightmare. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2020/01/27/stories/1062193611

#686: Republicans argue for the “MODERNIZATION of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Although the ESA has saved or delayed the extinction of many species, the overall status of wildlife continues to become increasingly endangered due to agric. & pesticides, dev., pop. growth, & climate change. If the ESA should be “modernized,” it needs to be STRENGTHENED, wildlife & nature need MORE PROTECTION, NOT LESS, than they did in 1973. The population of humans is expanding—wildlife are decreasing. See E. O. Wilson’s argument for setting aside 50 percent of the Earth for nature in Edward O. Wilson. Half-Earth: Our Planet’s Fight For Life. New York: Liveright Publishing Corporation. 2016

#685: “Common Sense” “Solutions” to Environmental Problems: Ever notice when David Bernhardt or his staff use “common sense” solutions it is when they are stating that wildlife must be sacrificed to agricultural, ranch, or energy industry when their interests conflict? Selfish human interests must prevail even when it concerns public lands, wilderness, national wildlife refuges, and oceans. This is proposed even though wildlife are becoming more endangered with the reduction in their habitat, use of pesticides by farmers and developers, spread of development into or near “wilderness” areas.

#683: You’ve heard of the 6th Wave of Extinction popularized by Elizabeth Kolbert? Well, we’re now in the 7th Wave of Extinction due to Bernhardt & his ANTI-Endangered Species Crew featuring Pendley, Budd-Falen, Combs, Jorjani, & Skipwith & rest of Davy’s staff. They’ve never seen species they’re not willing to sacrifice to industry. Instead of trying to PROTECT species, Interior is now DIRECTLY KILLING them by one anti-conservation measure after another. See 680+ examples below. The USFWS is now a joke--e.g., Gary Frazier heading "Endangered Species" never saw Bernhardt favor to industry that he doesn't love. Example: Sage grouse nos. have been declining in last 2 years but they are voiding an agreement to save them VOLUNTARILY arrived at by govt., nonprofits, & for-profits! They know their priorities: Nothing too much for industry, Nothing too little for wildlife.

#681: Slimy Bernhardt’s “innocence.” Bernhardt has undertaken many ethical misdeeds but his underlings in Interior always excuse them. He helped squash report on pesticide impact on endangered species & then pushed to loosen reqmnts. against recommendations of career professionals, thus helping Dow Co. that gave Trump $1 Mill—& then he assures us this had no effect on policy! He cowrote letter squashing the report. His underling in charge of ENDANGERED SPECIES, Gary Frazier, did not believe policy was “politically driven!!” As with ALL of Bernhardt’s staff, Frazier faced with choice of protecting species & helping industry, chose the latter. Of course, Bernhardt’s Staff are a WHO’s WHO list of End. Spec. Act opponents: Pendley, Susan Combs, & Budd Falen—all never fail to want to weaken ESA & help industry first. See https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/26/us/politics/endangered-species-david-bernhardt.html​​#680: Bernhardt doesn’t like critics & reads Twitter! Great: Please provide a LIST policy actions you have taken that have favored CONSERVATION over industry-welfare ranchers-developers other than “improved access” to your cowardly fellow trophy hunters! https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2020/01/23/stories/1062158633

#678: BLM employees may unionize! It wouldn’t hurt—they have “leadership” like Pendley who moves them w/o notice & doesn't support them when they try to confront illegal grazing and industry abuse of public lands. And, at same time, MOVE INDUSTRY out of the bldg.. they will be occupying! Unethical on the face of it! See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2020/01/22/stories/1062149941

#677: USFWS & For. Service Want to Kill 72 grizzlies “to promote livestock grazing” on public lands in Wy.! Public lands ranching is unproductive, gets welfare $ from Fed. & destroys the lands. The goal of USFWS & FS should be to reduce/eliminate destructive public grazing & support larger end. grizzly pop. But in Bernhardt's Interior, Conserv. Priorities are ZERO. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2020/01/22/stories/1062149533

#676: More evidence of harm done by Energy Dominance! Wyoming Dept Evmnt Quality had to back off their plan to allow dumping oilfield pollutants! DEQ doesn’t even test for many pollutants & taken no action against violators. This is the other side of the West’s “energy boom,” pollution and LAX ENFORCEMENT by Federal and states. They can’t do too much for industry & could care less about environment. See https://www.wyofile.com/deq-backs-off-plan-to-dump-more-oilfield-pollutants-into-boysen/

#675: BLM’s new plan to “streamline” grazing permit is a bad joke. Currently, BLM is supposed to BUT DOES NOT report on “informal resolutions.” GAO previously recommended they report information on # of compliance visits, # and level of violations identified, & how each violation is resolved, including those resolved informally. MOST violations HAVE NOT BEEN REPORTED & under Bernhardt, this FAILURE to report would be codified & the public would NEVER KNOW what these welfare ranchers are doing to the land. BLM should be REQUIRED to report these INFORMAL "resolutions" to the PUBLIC because this is how vast majority are done & they allow permitees to violate the law. There is already HUGE EVIDENCE that ranchers are RARELY PENALIZED & Western Cong. Reps. & local County Cmners intervene to prevent penalties. See Lots of Examples in Mike Hudak’s Western Turf Wars—the few times BLM or Forest Service employees tried to stop & penalize permittees, the govt. employees were disciplined, transferred, forced to retire, & their families were terrorized by local ranchers. The situation is a disgrace. A small no. of welfare ranchers ruin public lands for tiny fees & receive welfare $ for providing them water, roads, fences etc. Make BLM provide details on how many they have penalized & how they handle these informal crimes against the public. See GAO report https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-16-559 & ee news on their revisions https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2020/01/20/stories/1062132039

#673: Portrait of a Liar: Daniel Jorjani. Interior’s top lawyer has trouble telling the truth—lied to Sen. King about not having contact with Koch Bros. tho he used “TO BEST OF MY RECOLLECTION” phrase well known to other liars. His views his job to protect Bernhardt et al. from ethics charges. Of course, he’s the same jackass who interpreted Migratory Bird Treaty to not include “incidental” intentional killing. He should be disbarred. See https://www.huffpost.com/entry/daniel-jorjani-interior-lawyer-koch-network_n_5e20e02bc5b6321176107946

#671: Will Colorado’s Parks & Wildlife (CPW) Department welcome wolves? There’s proof that a pack is in NW part of state overlapping Wy. This CPW. took a position AGAINST wolves in 2015 & Dems. in the state like Hickenlooper have been cosy with ranchers as well as oil industry, undermining Obama's Admin. sage grouse plan. Here's another chance to determine: Is there a New West to challenge the TINY # of welfare ranchers who have dominated public lands or do these beggars still rule wildlife policy?! See https://wildlifemanagement.institute/outdoor-news-bulletin/january-2020/excise-tax-trends-looking-back

#668: BLM Move: The REAL Costs! Interior issued a “cost benefit analysis” with NO discussion of basis of #s. But this ignores the true issue: BLM will now occupy bldg. filled with industry lobbyists so communications will be IMPOSSIBLE to monitor & FOIA will be useless—that’s been goal of Bernhardt all along—he can’t stand accountability. Imagine the Interior lackeys & their industry “bosses” scheming more attacks on public lands. Cancel this move or, if it goes forward, FORCE the industry to leave the bldg. & set up monitoring system to detect their unethical deals! See https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2020/01/15/stories/1062090233

#667: Wildlife Need Space, Habitat first & foremost: Agencies have tried to protect endangered species like Florida Panthers but humans with dev., farms, ranches, & above all roads encroach on little area left. E.G. In 2 weeks, 4 panthers killed—3 by cars, 1 by railroad. This is why Wilson’s idea to save 50% of World for wildlife needs to be applied now or species are doomed. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2020/01/14/stories/1062079541

#665: When will “New West” show up? High Country News article shows how move to create safe wildlife movement passes in eastern Idaho failed despite strong evidence it would save life & property as well as wildlife because of blind fears of Fed. Gvmnt so much so that Idaho Game Dept staff not even allowed to mention them! Who leads opposition: American Stewards of Liberty, a Texas-based led by daughter of Nevada rancher who waged a lifelong battle against federal grazing restrictions. Can’t beat these welfare ranchers—they lazily take Federal handouts but they work like hell to keep them! See https://www.hcn.org/issues/52.1/wildlife-when-wildlife-safety-turns-into-fierce-political-debate?utm_source=wcn1&utm_medium=email

#664: EE News article reviews 5 Interior officials who will “shape” policy in 2020. Unfortunately, they are ALL TERRIBLE. Kate McGregor who industry calls whenever their projects are delayed by regs. Jorjani who rules it’s okay to kill migratory birds. Erdos head of Mining Enforcement who thinks it’s fine to pollute streams with coal runoffs. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2020/01/13/stories/1062027575​#663: Pendley discounts his anti-environmental books because he has a “new boss.” Yes, his bosses are Donald Trump & David Bernhardt who NEVER saw an environmental rule they would not IGNORE or OVERTURN for ENERGY DOMINANCE! We need to get rid of this triumvirate—they have already reversed decades of conservation. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2020/01/13/stories/1062071139

#662: Congratulations to House Nat. Resource Comm. for marking up Migratory Bird Bill. Pass this in House & push in Senate to force vote & advertise Republicans who vote against it! This is an issue that will draw independents & suburban support! See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2020/01/13/stories/1062064915

#661: One More OBJECTIVE EXPERT study by American Academy of Actuaries shows cost of Trump-Bernhardt Energy Dominance Craziness: At least 24 Billion in property losses. This adds to OMB & GAO objective studies proving Trump Admin is HARMING not only public lands but future! See https://www.actuary.org/sites/default/files/2020-01/ACRI.pdf

#657: NEPA is really another Energy Dominance move—emphasis on labor & infrastructure is a diversion. In the 3+ years of this Admin., EVERY SINGLE major policy decision that it has taken FAVORS their industry buddies at expense of conservation. Bernhardt admits NEPA “noble” but he just never follows it when it stops or delays his buddies—his & Trump’s energy dominance is IGNOBLE. See https://www.eenews.net/energywire/2020/01/10/stories/1062040055

#655: Trump’s NOAA ordered by Obama-appointed judge to turn over documents on decision to allow “incidental killing” of right whales due to seismic testing for oil. This demonstrates 2 key points: (1) Only protection from Trump destruction are Courts & FOIA; (2) So-called “incidental” killing of wildlife is inherent in these activities thus is not "incidental" but INTEGRAL to activity & purposeful even if company doesn’t like it. With Trump-appointed judges taking over appeals courts, the sole protector of wildlife will no longer exist. See https://www.eenews.net/energywire/2020/01/09/stories/1062030265

#654: Democratic bill on Trump cutting of protections to Migratory Birds should be focused on by media & ads—There are millions of people who love birds who are unaware of Jorjani’s sacrificing them to industry & cable TV doesn’t talk about it either. See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2020/01/09/stories/1062031481

#653: Bernhardt-Jorjani Attack Freedom of Information: They can’t stand up to scrutiny of FOIA into their ethical transgressions so they are moving FOIA control by professionals to Jorjani, the political appointee who's a graduate of Koch Brothers industry. Even Republicans in Congress have not liked their disdain for overview & they should join Dems in stopping this political move. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2020/01/08/stories/1062027909

#652: Trump is trying to cut environmental reviews of NEPA but has anyone heard major media including liberal outlets like MSNBC talk about this? There are a lot of moderate suburban Republicans who would not like at all what he & his Interior energy lackeys are doing but most are unaware of the magnitude. Time for major media to report on SUBSTANCE, not just impeachment & weather-natural disasters. See https://www.eenews.net/climatewire/2020/01/08/stories/1062022777

#651: Congrats to Grijalva for DEMANDING data, not bullshit from Bernhardt—he hasn’t provided justification for BLM move. Bigger issue: BLM should not be in same bldg. as fossil fuel industry! Informal conversations not able to be FOIAed between Interior fossil-fuel leadership & industry. This is PERFECT for Bernhardt—Terrible for those who care about public lands! See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2020/01/07/stories/1062019293

#647: Trump's NEPA “ILLOGIC:” Eliminate climate effects from evmnt impact reviews because no single project would have major impact. But SINCE EVERY PROJECT would now be able to ignore effects so OVERALL impact of rule change would be massive! Will intentional stupidity (favorable to industry) win again? See https://www.eenews.net/climatewire/2020/01/06/stories/1062004543

#646: USFWS Research to help drilling ANWR. Researcher Ryan Wilson's goal is to allow drilling ANWR by reducing killing to an “INSIGNIFCANT LEVEL.” See him smiling in photo in front of a POLAR BEAR SKULL in his office. Bernhardt-Trump love this guy. It’s example of the “UPDATED” USFWS—goal is to allow industry killing not just bears but other wildlife such as migratory birds that are killed “incidentally” to support ENERGY DOMINANCE—the top priority for Bernhardt-Skipwith-Everson USFWS. If this leadership continues for another 4 years, “so-called PROTECTED” areas will be covered by drills, mines, roads, & development & the ESA will have been reduced to minimal protections of species. See https://www.alaskapublic.org/2020/01/01/polar-bear-protections-delayed-oil-exploration-in-the-arctic-refuge-a-new-federal-study-shows-how-companies-could-still-move-forward/

#645: Polar Bears versus Drilling ANWR: Which do you think the U.S. Fish & WILDLIFE SERVICE should favor? Well, Bernhardt, Iverson, & Skipwith side with Oil Industry! USFWS just authorized killing polar bears to support drilling. What the hell is the purpose of this agency if not to protect wildlife? Under Bernhardt, USFWS is a clear & present danger to ALL WILDLIFE. See https://www.eenews.net/energywire/2020/01/02/stories/1061970565

#640: Move BLM West for More Access to “Clients” a Fraud: The ONLY reason offered for BLM is a bad joke. BLM already does whatever ranchers want—they no longer prosecute illegal grazing as GAO study showed. They don’t even force Bundy to pay fees. If a BLM employee DARES to control cattle on public land, they face removal. Rancher county commissioners & local sheriffs act to back up the ranchers & have more influence on grazing than BLM employees. Indeed, for most part, these points were even true under Obama & Clinton as proven by Ketcham’s This Land & Hudak’s Western Turf Wars interviews with numerous BLM employees—they too tried to placate ranchers & industry. The reality is that public range ranchers are SMALL in numbers & their productivity in arid evmnt is poor & negligible. They terrorize anyone in their communities who dares to challenge environmental damages (See Hudak & Ketcham for many examples). They complain about thousands of wild horses while effects of millions of cow grazing are FAR WORSE & destroy the land & riparian areas. According to news, Cory Gardner is seeking political payoff for support of BLM move. I hope that the vast majority of Coloradans who CARE about public lands will remove him from office. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/12/20/stories/1061862603

#638: Bernhardt’s Textbook on Corruption--how to benefit lobby partner: His former lobby Co. has 310% increase in lobbying DOI! The firm brags about its “political clout” with presid. Appointees (i.e., Bernhardt)! DOI says they’ve hired more ethics officers like Scott de la Vega who have found Bernhardt’s unethical involvements perfectly fine. One firm that used for his firm that never had use Fed. lobbyists before—all of them former Rep. Cong. staffers now working for Bernhardt’s old firm (Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck LLP). They helped them this firm to get DOI to approve road thru Alaska's Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve. What more evidence of swampy corruption is needed? See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/12/18/stories/1061845459

#637: Rubio lifts hold on MacGregor Asst Sec Interior. So Rubio &/or Grijalva or some other Cong. rep should FOIA MacGregor to release the results of their planning for ocean drilling NOW. She headed the effort. Don’t count on her & her boss to protect Florida & other states—they’re both industry lackeys & will eventually do industry's bidding once political threat to Trump is removed. See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/12/17/stories/1061831015

#636: Excise Taxes from Hunting Way Down Again: Pro-Hunting Wildlife Management Institute (WMI) Dec. 2019 reported revenues from tax on hunting down 9% for 2019 from 2018. WMI concludes that “We simply can’t afford to continue to lose $50+ million in annual revenues and maintain the high-quality fish and wildlife management that state agencies are known for. We can’t expect expanded hunting and fishing access when the agency most responsible for providing that access is seeing these kinds of funding cuts.” These are $ that are used to fund Wildlife Restoration for States. WMI said it’s “ important that we do all we can to generate more hunters and anglers” BUT that is not going to happen! Fewer people are interested in hunting & It is FINISHED as the basis of funding for wildlife conservation. We need to turn to general tax funding & other non-hunting recreation which continues to grow rapidly. But Trump/Bernhardt & current leadership of Interior & USFWS are totally dominated by trophy hunters so only a change to Democratic Admin. can save conservation. See https://wildlifemanagement.institute/outdoor-news-bulletin/december-2019/excise-tax-snapshot

#634: Democrats: Use Don Jr.’s Trophy Hunting Against Trump! Surveys have PROVEN that Trophy hunting has LONG been unpopular with public-witness huge reaction against Minn. Dentist killing Cecil the Lion. Publicize Junior’s trophy hunting w photos to show what a coward he is like his father. See https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2019/12/13/stories/1061802849

#633: Proposed Conservation Enhancement Act would create Teddy R “Genius Grants” to use technology to avoid human-predator conflict! Technology is NOT solution! Cows & Sheep are allowed to graze anywhere on public lands & cutbacks in habitat (e.g., monuments) & more development/population in their habitat are causes. This bill REIMBURSES public welfare ranchers for losses which just encourages more welfare ranching. Solutions? Cut public lands grazing, Increase habitat and build BUFFERS around wildlife w/no humans allowed in them. Instead Bernhardt has cut compensatory mitigation & increased grazing. Predators are not the problem & technology will NOT solve. See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/12/16/stories/1061803125

#631: BLM’s analysis of proposed oil dev. in Petroleum reserve area currently off limits to drilling that is refuge for birds, caribou, & subsistence hunting shows that drilling will have bad effects on the climate that will impact this area but BLM is RUSHING to develop anyway. https://www.eenews.net/energywire/2019/12/13/stories/1061799477

#630: Skipwith Confirmed but She Wants to be “FOIAed” so do it! Make her report on her lobbying activities. She refused to answer Sen. Caper’s questions—she stonewalls just like her industry lackey boss Bernhardt. Time to make both of these unethical lackeys provide the truth. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/12/12/stories/1061793089

#628: Skipwith Passes Senate but Fails “Smell Test.” Law requires that head have “scientific education and experience, knowledgeable in the principles of fisheries and wildlife management." She HAS NONE. Doesn’t matter because she’s what Bernhardt loves: a lobbyist & Monsanto grad. See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/12/12/stories/1061788283

#627: Bernhardt HIRES ONE MORE OIL INDUSTRY LOBBYIST! 2 Contests: Try to find one NON-Lobbyist & One Conservationist in Bernhardt's Interior! That’s correct: The answer is ZERO to both contests. Latest addition is Atty Kevin O’Scannlain whose qualifications are that he worked for Chevron & Trump White House. He’s also a Federalist Society member—the group that hires ALL of Trump’s Court Nominees. See https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2019/12/11/stories/1061785061

#626: Biggest Joke About BLM Move: Need to get employees closer to “BLM land users” (i.e., ranchers & oil-gas). ANY BLM employee who tries to control cows trampling range is immediately threatened by supervisors, county, state, & Congressional politicos. The exception are those willing to stand up to the cowboys. See testimony of former BLM, NPS, FWS employees in Mike Hudak’s Western Turf Wars & Christopher Ketcham's This Land: How Cowboys, Capitalism, and Corruption are Ruining the American West. GAO has found that BLM no longer enforces illegal grazing & Bundy et al. no longer pay fees. Something needs to happen to BLM & it is TOTAL REMOVAL of the outlaws running the agency. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/12/11/stories/1061784483

#624: I’ve been a member of Nature Conservancy (NC) for many years but I will depart them now. Last Straw: they are supporting big increase in $ for logging roads thru National Forests. How about working for more ROADLESS AREAS! I Just finished Reading Christopher Ketcham’s This Land: How Cowboys, Capitalism, and Corruption are Ruining the American West that details how NC accommodates developers & industry time after time. I will give me $ to less accommodationist organizations. See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/12/11/stories/1061778019

#623: Alaska’s oil revs are WAY DOWN as with coal in many Western states. They should be looking to their natural resources, ecotourism, and recreation that are GROWING but all they want to do is chase industry that is destroying reason to visit them! See https://www.eenews.net/energywire/2019/12/10/stories/1061769573

#620: Wyoming will have sharpshooters kill mule deer w/o knowing if they have CWD. Cause of CWD is overpopulation of deer & elk & the congregation of them in small areas. Enough Wolves would solve this problem naturally—keep pop. down & scattered but stupid state officials will look into “unacceptable impacts” of wolves on elk feedground areas! Score one more point for stupidity winning out! See https://www.wyofile.com/cwd-plan-targets-mule-deer-bucks-eyes-sharpshooters/

#616: Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) provides PERMANENT FUNDING for helping WELFARE PUBLIC ranchers suffering from drought! Republicans have consistently voted AGAINST permanent funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund & wildlife conservation programs. Why should public range ranchers get welfare when they are mostly wealthy & their cattle are despoiling public land! What's even more outrageous is that they at same time take away food stamps from poor but give nearly a trillion in tax breaks to wealthy. Why the hell blue collar workers support these creeps? See https://jeffreydavidburgess.com/livestock-forage-disaster-program/

#614: Why can’t we have a Conservationist as head of USFWS? Interior is entirely filled with energy industry lobbyists—shouldn’t at least the agency supposed to protect endangered species be headed by a conservationist?? Skipwith’s qualifications for her job? She worked for MONSANTO & she & her fiancé both tied to Bernhardt’s Westlands! Her nomination is a travesty for the party of Teddy Roosevelt. See https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2019/12/05/stories/1061732949

#613: Interior has rushed plan to drill ANWR w/inadequate evmnt reviews but there is LITTLE interest by industry in drilling! Why? They can’t wait to despoil ANWR so it can’t be held up as pristine! They are as always contemptible destroyers of public lands. See https://www.eenews.net/energywire/2019/12/05/stories/1061708927

#612: Grassley & Republicans will NOT fix coal miner benefits! They have also sided with coal companies that hurt workers & refuse to pay up. Let’s hope miners & other blue collar workers in Ohio-Pa.-Michigan remember this when next election rolls around! See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/12/05/stories/1061727019

#601: BLM faced with poor quality of public lands due to million cow grazing much of it illegal focuses on Wild Horses—say they are a “nuisance to sprinklers, gardens, and “décor.” What does Pendley want to do? Slaughter them. Pendley’s priorities are upside down but what do you expect from a man who thinks Bundy is a hero? See https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2019/11/25/stories/1061646083

#599: Unbalanced Interior Decisions: they cancelled a proposed 20-year ban on mining near Boundary Waters Canoe Area & now favor copper-nick project near the area. Every time they face choice between protecting conservation versus industry, they choose the latter. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/11/25/stories/1061644085

#598: BLM move to West has another purpose: In addition to moving in with their energy industry bosses, they also are using the move to get rid of non-industry lobby types & save $ by eliminating positions related to areas like cultural resources program. I hope GAO conducts review quickly to stop Pendley-Bernhardt destruction of the agency. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/11/25/stories/1061644999

#597: Puppydog (supposed to be Watchdog!) Interior IG Greenblatt punishes whistleblower who had “argumentative” nature! How does an ethical Interior employee in Bernhardt’s LOBBYIST dominated Dept. adhere to ethics w/o arguing with these stooges? Greenblatt’s report on his activities shows absolutely no interest in pursuing MAJOR ETHICAL violations—he is focusing on “blunders” like wasteful purchase of $300 mountain bike! What a coward! See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/11/25/stories/1061644737

#596: Pendley says let Local Sheriffs Enforce Federal Law if they feel like it! He states BLM should DEFER to local sheriffs. Pendley loves Bundy & others who refuse to protect endangered species & pay fees for using public lands. He loves local sheriffs who refuse to enforce Federal laws. BLM is NOT ENFORCING law against illegal grazing as GAO study proves & they fired a whistleblower who complained about it! GAO report shows that right wing nuts made 360 threats in last 4 yrs. On Fed. Employees—these threats are so common they no go unreported because employees consider them “part of their job.” We need to get rid of the lawless Pendley & Bernhardt who not only refuse to enforce Federal laws but encourage Bundy & others like him to violate it. See https://www.gao.gov/assets/680/678292.pdfhttps://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2019/05/29/stories/1060426153https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/10/21/stories/1061339183

#595: Good article in today’s NYT on how National Parks are in danger due to overcrowding, air pollution, cuts in NPS budget by Trump, motor boats tearing up sea grass, plans to turnover parks to private industry, cutting of monuments by millions of acres, etc. Our media (e.g., I watch NBC Nightly News) covers the hell out of any “natural disaster” & weather events far beyond anything of use. But disasters wrought by Trump & Bernhardt to parks, monuments, threatened species, ocean fronts—Not a word. If I ever run into Lester Holt, NBC’s frontman for their news, I am going to say, “Oh, I know you—you’re the announcer for the Weather Network!” It’s outrageous. I have now DOCUMENTED 594 Harmful actions that Bernhardt has done to parks & other areas that Interior manages at https://www.wildlifepolitics.org/blog I have just about abandoned hope these will be covered by major media. Parks are something people care about—apparently far more than the Ukraine scandal—if these issues were covered, maybe Trump’s popularity with his core would decline.

#594: What else is new? BLM wants to open Millions More Acres to drilling in critical habitat in the National Petroleum reserve area for polar bears! They have 4 alternatives in their plan—1 would open 18.3 mill. Another “ONLY” 11.3 mill. If they follow their usual unbalanced dmking, they will choose LEAST RESTRICTIVE choice as they did with ANWR & Tongass. Once more show that Bernhardt et al are a real & present DANGER to species & public lands. See https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2019/11/21/stories/1061611297

#593: Interior’s Burman complains that Calif. Challenges their plan to threaten delta fish & go to courts to let judges “dictate projects.” Under Trump, the ONLY officials protecting species are Federal judges—they go with best science—Interior scientists go with “industry science.” See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/11/22/stories/1061618883

#589: Good news! House Comm. approves bill that INCREASE wilderness-designated areas bv 100’s thousands acres. Given the inexorable loss of habitat due to agriculture, ranching, & development along with population increase & huge demand for enjoyment of non-despoiled evmnt., this increase is necessary to provide for future generations. Big Laugh: Paul Gosar R. Ariz complains about partisanship! This Anti-ESA creep has been pushing bill after bill to weaken Act. See https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2019/11/20/stories/1061602473

#583: Great move: House Dems push block for funding BLM move to West. It should not be approved until evidence for move is provided. Only argument for it by Republicans: put in same bldg. as lobby friends so they can talk face to face & avoid accbty. See https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2019/11/19/stories/1061593569

#581: Why Did Dems vote for MacGregor as Deputy Sec. of Interior? Her record: (1) She tried to allow pipelines thru nat. parks; (2) She canceled study of bad effects of mountain-top mining; (3) She led effort to plan for OFFSHORE drilling. Dems should have at least demanded plan for offshore drilling? Oh well, one more industry stooge leading Interior—nothing new! See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/11/05/stories/1061464609

#579: Republicans wants to “update” End. Species Act—how about updating Outmoded & destructive 1800’s Mining Acts? Utah politicos trying to use 1866 Mining Act to transfers Fed. Public lands to State! Get rid of “grandfathered clauses” & avoid giving roads to Utah politicos who love to litter public lands with ATVs, mines, snowmobiles etc. See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/11/19/stories/1061586939​#578: Grijalva trying to stop Bernhardt Rush to Destruction: A key strategy of Trump Interior is to rush to implement destructive acts on public lands so they have “fait accompli”—they have destroyed ANWR/Grand Escalante etc. so that they are no longer pristine. Dems NR telling them to stop destruction until courts rule. Good move but unfortunately, guess what Davy will do: Ignore House as he has done with EVERY SINGLE IMPORTANT issue since he’s been in office. See https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2019/11/18/stories/1061584731

#577: Private lands better than public: One of the facts about public lands is that they are generally the worst lands in states—that is why they were left public and it also supports the argument that these lands should be reserved for wildlife & conservation--humans have already appropriated the rich lands--wildlife should have priority for the poor lands they have been left. Support for this viewpoint is offered by Western Landowners Alliance Executive Director Lesli Allison who stated the following in response to the issue of migration corridors in Wyoming: “Allison lamented that the current process for protecting migration routes often pressures ranchers and other landowners who operate on a mix of public and private lands."What people don't really recognize is that it's usually the private land portion that is the most important to wildlife species. It provides the most critical habitat," Allison said. "That's because the private lands were the places that were settled first: They tend to be the most water rich, the best soils, the most habitable parts of the landscape." Those features make such lands attractive not just to big game, Allison added, but to another population: "Those same pieces are the ones that are most desirable to developers." See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/11/18/stories/1061583881

#576: The Unbalanced approach to Public Lands: In Tongass & ANWR, Agric. & Interior Depts. had options ranging from LEAST to MOST restrictive on Industry & then both Chose LEAST RESTRICTIVE! In neither case, do they provide ANY EVIDENCE for their choice. The next time they mention conservation (not often), ask them WHY they chose the most UNBALANCED option. Answer: they don’t give a damn about it if it conflicts with industry profits & energy dominance. See doc. below at 544 (Tongass) & 414 (ANWR).

#575: Fed Judge forces BLM to withdraw 1000s acres planned for lease to oil-gas because of threat to sage grouse. Good news but note: this judge appointed by Clinton. Future judges likely will be Trump stooges who will enjoy handing over land to industry. See https://www.eenews.net/stories/1061543717

#574: Read important story on Florida panther—some promising news on conserv. easements & wildlife crossings but inexorable dev. into their critical habitat along with proposed & existing hwys. are major threats. See #564 https://www.wildlifepolitics.org/blog

#572: Amazing: No Republican Opposition to extending requirement that coal companies give $ to clean up mines! But Not surprising: Trump-Bernhardt’s OSMRE Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement DID NOT SUPPORT THE BILL! They don’t want their lobby friends to suffer—they prefer to let affected areas pay! See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/11/15/stories/1061551637

#567: Excellent piece by Gary MacFarlane of Wilderness Watch on BLM’s proposal to greatly expand by 400% # of visitors to Paria Canyon-Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness on Arizona/Utah border. Trump-Bernhardt want to turn untrammeled wilderness where “imprint of man is substantially unnoticeable” as required by Wilderness Act into recreation park teeming with humans. Bikes, ATVs, snowmobiles, the more the merrier for Davy. By time he's done, our wilderness-parks-monuments will no longer be special and untrammeled. They will be like your local recreational park. See https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/16/1131

#566: Ageless questions: When is Cliven Bundy going to be required to pay grazing fees that he’s not paid since 1990? If he doesn't have to do this, why should anyone pay them? When is David Bernhardt going to be called to account for his unethical favors to industry & Trump donor? How come he has gotten away with stonewalling Congress on providing info on them? How do these creeps continue to escape accountability? See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/11/12/stories/1061531247

#564: Grijalva makes good move—make Republicans vote on permanent funding for LWCF funding. Republicans brag about using oil-gas $ for backlog but won’t vote for LWCF funding. Trillion $ deficit for rich taxpayers but not for preserving lands for future generations! See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/11/11/stories/1061522315

#563: Pendley wants promotion to permanent head of BLM! Why not? He’s perfect for Trump-Bernhardt: Hates Public Lands unless covered with industry wells & mines, hates Environmental Legislation like NEPA & ESA—perfect guy to run millions of acres of public lands! & he's too cowardly to now say actually what he would like to do with wild horses (i.e., sell them to slaughterhouses). See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/11/11/stories/1061522265

#561: Bernhardt gives ONE MORE FAVOR to Westlands. You think he’s worried about ethics investigation of his previous favors to his former employer? Baloney. He’s giving them a new permanent contract to help out their profit line. He knows he can help them out & NO ONE, not Ethics officials, IG, or House NR Committee will do anything. One more laugh for this pudgy moon-faced trophy hunter. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/11/08/stories/1061496947

#560: Bernhardt’s consistent: he’s taking sand from protected areas to help out development. Everson of USFWS is fine with this—what good are undeveloped lands & beaches when she can help out profits of developed areas! Remember when Interior & USFWS cared about conservation? See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/11/08/stories/1061496545

#559: Great article by Coral Davenport in NYT on how Bernhardt’s so-called ethics official, Edward McDonnell, is directly asked by Bernhardt to confirm Davy’s own viewpoint that it was okay for him to participate in decisionmaking to help out his former lobby clients Westmark & US Oil-Gas Asso. McDonnell did say no once—about Bernhardt participating in a conference (that did not involved decisions!). Article cites that in previous Admins., top officials did NOT directly contact ethics officials—that would be considered inappropriate as putting too much pressure on them. Ofcourse, McDonnell denies that he feels any pressure (just like Ukranian PM did not feel pressure from Trump!). When the hell is Interior IG going to take action on this? He said investigating Bernhardt was not a top priority for him. When is House NR Committee going to make him accountable? He has totally stonewalled them (sent them 1000s of irrelevant pages in response to queries) & they have done NOTHING. We need whistleblowers in Interior that will speak up on this unethical creep. See https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/09/climate/interior-secretary-ethics.html

#558: Sens. Murkowski & Cassidy (Rep. La) want to up take of states from oil-gas offshore drilling from 37.5 to 50%! Just as with public lands, they think U.S. public lands & oceans belong to states & not the U.S. Since states like AL & LA are totally dominated by energy lackeys, it’s a great way to incentivize destruction of our common heritage. Let’s hope other Senators will reject their short-sighted sell-out to industry. See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/11/08/stories/1061492791

#557: Sen. Daines officially becomes Phony Public Lands Supporter: He says he supports Pendley as permanent head of BLM—guy who not only hates both public lands & environmental programs. Yes, now Pendley says he would like to sell off lands but for now will follow Trump & just lease them to oil-gas-ranchers to do whatever they want. He thinks the only big problem is wild horses! Let’s hope that Dems can find someone who respects public lands & environment to beat this phony! See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/11/08/stories/1061492817

#556: Funding for Wildlife, Public Lands & Wilderness: An excellent report by Ctr. For West. Priorities demonstrates need for many new sources of funding for wildlife, public lands, & wilderness. Past funding has relied on taxes on hunting-fishing equipment but these sources are drying up due to diminished hunting & internet sales of equipment that avoid taxes. There is bipartisan support for using revs. from drilling-mining public lands & oceans for MAINTENANCE backlog which is fine except Republicans will not allow these funds to be used for acquisition of new lands. Greatly increased usage of public lands shows need for acquisitions especially for wilderness that protects wildlife. Republicans are happy to build Disneyland style operations but see land reserved for wilderness-animals as wasted. General taxes on sales, recreational purchases, etc. are needed to provide $ DEDICATED to protecting wilderness & wildlife. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/11/07/stories/1061487941 & https://westernpriorities.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Conservation_Funding_2019_FINAL_CWP.pdf

#554: Apparently No One Asked Interior Nominee for Deputy Secretary MacGregor to reveal plans for OFF SHORE DRILLING-she has headed Interior's planning for it. What the hell is wrong with Dems? Don’t they know this is the ONE issue that Trump & other Repubs. scared S___LESS about?! See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/11/06/stories/1061472111

#548: Why McGregor should NOT be Dep. Secy Interior: (1) She tried to allow pipelines thru nat. parks; (2) She canceled study of bad effects of mountain-top mining; (3) She led effort to plan for OFFSHORE drilling. Dems: Demand that she tell them the Ocean Drilling Plan! Do Dems & their staffs have enough smarts to know political vulnerabilities? See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/11/05/stories/1061464609

#547: Scientific study shows small (400 or fewer) bison herds likely to become extinct due to lack of genetic diversity. Note: Small no’s of grizzlies & wolves also subject to same threats yet Bernhardt’s USFWS & western states can’t tolerate more than tiny herds-packs of predators. Bye Bye bison, wolves, grizzlies. You just don’t rate in Trump-Bernhardt world. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/11/04/stories/1061460919

#546: Military wants 1 Million Acres of Nev. Desert National Wildlife Refuge turned over to them. Nevada Dems oppose. Wonder what Bernhardt will do? He thinks REFUGES are for hunters & ranchers & giving it to military is part of his “Unbalanced” approach to public lands. Bye Bye Desert Nat. Wild. Refuge! See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/11/04/stories/1061461749

#544: Department of Agriculture (DA): gave minimum consultation to tribes in Tongass area before DECISION TO LOG & build roads thru forest. They had 6 alternatives for & selected least restrictive allow logging ANYWHERE in 17 Mill. Acres! They say it will only log small area & have little effect. If you have trust in Trump’s DA, their assurances will calm you. If you think DA like Interior cares NOTHING at all about forests, wildlife, & conservation, you are right! See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/10/30/stories/1061417831

#543: Kudos to Patagonia: they will fight Trump-Bernhardt rewrite of ESA rules that removes protections for threatened species & makes it more difficult to list endangered species. Bernhardt defense? “change long overdue!” Well, it’s overdue from industry lackey perspective no doubt. From Teddy Roosevelt concern for species perspective, Bernhardt’s removal is LONG OVERDUE. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/11/01/stories/1061435199

#542: USFWS Gunnison grouse plan: goal is to remove from list when get 3,669 birds less than 3978 when bird first listed! Plan includes capturing & relocating rather than protect habitat! This is Bernhardt idea of protecting species! His version of ESA: Do less than minimally needed to assure survival. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/11/01/stories/1061435533

#539: Trump-Bernhardt an International Disgrace: Nonprofit World Monuments Fund criticized decision to cut 200,000 acres from it when 450,000 visited it. National Trust for Historic Preservation took same position. Next time Trump or Bernhardt talk about conservation, they both deserve a pie in the face. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/10/31/stories/1061426195

#535: Republican 9th Circuit Court nominee: shows the sad future for protection of public lands. VanDyke “built his political career advocating for opening public lands to mining and fossil fuel drilling.” Nightmare: Courts filled with little Davy Bernhardts handing over Federal lands to industry & states! See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/10/31/stories/1061420063​#534: Chance for Bernhardt to back conservation by stating support for Chaco & Grand Canyon bills passed by House. Davy promised 1-yr. moratorium but bill bans for future. Grand Canyon bill protects 1 million acres around it--no way energy dominance will support this?! Repub. Yahoos Gosar et al against even Chaco! Does Davy have courage? See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/10/31/stories/1061421177

#533: Something about Utah Politicos—they hate public lands! Sen. Mike Lee is holding up Senate appropriations bill because he wants to amendment that would prevent millions of dollars from land acquisitions! As population grows & data shows Utah & other parks crowded, short-sighted Utah politicos continue to be clueless. See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/10/31/stories/1061421443

#532: Pendley hates NEPA—it delays him because it requires environmental assessments! Pembley also hates the Endangered Species Act & public lands. He hates horses because they consume forage & destroy habitat. But, as one member of his Advisory Comm. said, so to cows & drilling-mines destroy habitat & public lands to a much greater degree but that doesn’t disturb him! What the hell is this creep doing in this job? https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/10/30/stories/1061417689

#531: Wouldn’t it be great it Trump Admin. just one time favored wildlife over industry? Judge had to step into save Right Whales from NOAA’s ruling to allow gill net fishing in protected whale areas when 85% of threatened whale deaths due to entanglements with the gear. NOAA did not consult with ITS OWN Protected Resources Division on the decision. Guess where wildlife protection ranks on their list of priorities? Right at the bottom with oil-drilling-seismic testing & fishing industry at the top. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/10/29/stories/1061408813

#529: Wyoming Whistle-Blower, 35-year employee of Black Hills Bentonite (BHB) tells how he repeatedly told about violations of mining rules that harmed land & habitat for sage grouse, elk, & mule deer but BLM did nothing about the violations. Not coincidentally, mule deer pops. have been down for years. Bernhardt’s one interest in wildlife is big game but even here he is destructive force. Will BLM act now?! Under Pendley, they will do everything they can to ignore ANY VIOLATIONS by energy. See https://www.wyofile.com/whistle-blower-prompts-deq-to-probe-itself-and-bentonite-mines/

#528: Dems House Bill to protect Grand Canyon & New Mexico Chaco Nat. Park: Republicans won’t protect these areas—they’re less important than energy dominance to them. Not surprisingly Yahoos like Rob Bishop & Paul Gosar lead opposition. It will be interesting to see if Trump-Bernhardt oppose Chaco protection—they have already bragged about doing it as rare conservation moves! But denying energy is impossible for them! See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/10/29/stories/1061404057

#526: Sen. Mike Lee’s Modest Proposal: Sell off public lands. Yes, he says only “garden-sized” & not national parks NOW! But then Lee thought it was a great idea to slash Grand-Escalante monument by 860K acres so let him establish principle of selling public lands & he will think big next. There is no idea too horrible for public lands that Utah politicos will not support. See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/10/28/stories/1061394469

#524: Bernhardt loses! He had to backdown on FOIA changes because even Republicans couldn’t stand his lack of transparency! Now if Dems HR Committee can INSIST on getting info on his Westlands & Arizona scandals, maybe we can get rid of the creep! See https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2019/10/25/stories/1061375173

#522: Bernhardt’s Interior is Incompetent: GAO report shows they are losing $ Billions they could be making for U.S. public from leasing to oil & gas. Why is this happening? No mystery: More Bernhardt’s big energy partners profit, the happier he is. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/10/24/stories/1061365585

#521: Some outdoor groups (e.g., Gold County Trails Council & Back Country Horsemen) just did take a stand against e-bikes on non-motorized trails. They state there is a “time & place for them” but not on these protected areas. Why does Bernhardt push them? He loves anything which degrades the idea that an area should be undeveloped, natural, & not exploited. I hope “Big Rec” steps up & takes a stand. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/10/24/stories/1061365359

#519: One of hopes of conservationists in this era of Trump is that the Recreation Industry would oppose Trump-Bernhardt’s war on public lands & oceans & they did to some extent by opposing their cuts in monuments. However, an interesting article in High Country News tells how “Big Recreation” has not shown up to protest public land battles on the Border. I would add that they have not clear taken a position on Bernhardt’s move to open parks & monuments to e-bikes, ATMs, & other invasions of protected areas. The Bernhardt ethos is clear: wilderness & wildlife have NO priority—protected areas are for human entertainment & anything that eases access is fine regardless of its impact on the land, fora, & fauna. If Big Recreation doesn’t show up to oppose these other harmful actions, going to parks & monuments will soon be like visiting Disneyland. See https://www.hcn.org/articles/public-lands-how-big-rec-chooses-its-public-lands-battles/?utm_source=wcn1&utm_medium=email & #493 & 495 below

#517: Grijalva & Dems: Demand mandatory funding for LCW fund before support of maintenance backlog funding. Bishop & Drill-happy Republicans only want $ from drilling for Interior. LCW is popular program—use it as leverage—this is strategy that Mitch McConnell & Republicans understand. See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/10/24/stories/1061358691

#516: Republicans say challenge to Federal land ownership does not inspire attacks on Fed. Employees! Well, how their support for theBundy's who refuse to pay fees and threatened to shoot employees if they tried to enforce environmental regulationsand pardoning public lands arsonists, the Hammonds? That pardon sent a clear message: It’s fine to destroy public lands--illegal actions are okay with this Administration. See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/10/23/stories/1061351541

#514: Bernhardt-Trump on how to Avoid Environmental Review & Public Participation: exempt from NEPA reviews & hand over decisions on roads & logging of Millions of Tongass Forest acres to single Forest Mgr. appointed by Trump. Bye Bye forests, Hello Logging & Roads. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/10/22/stories/1061347931

#513: Senate Democrats agreed on Interior-EPA spending bill that would NOT include limits on offshore drilling & gives 1.5B less than House bill. How about some spine from Dem Senators? Offshore drilling issue is BIGGEST THREAT to Trump winning Florida & spending for conservation should be fought for! What about Dingell’s bill for wildlife conservation? Maybe we do need a Green Party if this is weak support of Senate Dems for the environment! See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/10/22/stories/1061342591

#512: Press & Public go crazy over “attacks” on humans by wolves, grizzlies, & sharks but GAO report shows that Right Wing Nuts made 360 threats to Federal public employees during last 4 years. So common are threats that most go unreported because they see it as a “normal part of their job!” Time to put law enforcement to prosecute & prevent these threats. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/10/21/stories/1061339183

#511: Mike Lee on how Utah would improve Federal lands: (1) No more wilderness; (2) Put new roads thru parks-monuments; (3) Slash size of monuments & no new monuments; (4) Eliminate protections for sage grouse & other wildlife that interfere with industry. If we could just get the American public to see what Lee, Trump, & Bernhardt want to do to public lands we could get rid of these creeps immediately! See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/10/21/stories/1061331645

#510: Republicans want to “update” (i.e., destroy) Endangered Species Act: How about updating 1872 General Mining Act that prioritizes mining over other public uses & does not charge royalties! How about protecting public lands for a change instead of giving handouts to industry! See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/10/21/stories/106133146

#509: Streamlining NEPA for Pebble Mine & and all other developments that industries want: Goal of Trump, Bernhardt, EPA etc. What does “Streamlining” actually mean=Approve regardless of negative impacts on environment. A streamlined NEPA is not Protection but Prostitution, not streamlining! See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/10/21/stories/1061314169

#508: Skipwith has been proven to be totally unqualified to head USFWS. She couldn’t name a single conservation scientist—the only name she came up with (incorrectly) apparently was a Monsanto technology officer! Who is her hero? Pemdley, acting head of BLM who hates public lands & any restrictions on wildlife that interfere with industries. Who supports her? Only same suspects that supported Bernhardt like trophy hunting Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Isn’t there a Republican Senator or 2 who care about wildlife & conservation to reject this loser? See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/10/18/stories/1061312553

#503: Revealing story on how Pendley hates BLM bureaucrats & hated rare action by Zinke’s Interior to appeal mining near Blackfeet Nation’s revered area! His defense: None except he will do what Bernhardt orders him to do! In that case, he won’t have to worry about enforcing conservation! What a disgusting creep he is! See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/10/17/stories/1061304079

#500: Bernhardt’s Hero: Pendley has LIFELONG benefits from Mt. States Legal Fdtn.—anti-public lands group & is head of agency in charge of public lands! Only in Bizarro World of Trump could this happen. Davy wishes he had same deal from his lobby partners or more likely, he does & we’ll never know it since Congress can’t get him to reveal any info about his ethical scandals. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/10/16/stories/1061295629

#498: Dems: Focus on getting ban on ocean drilling thru Senate—bill passed House with Repub. support. House Dems: Demand Interior officials in charge of planning effort release their plans NOW. Of course they don’t want to do this & alienate Florida (& other coastal states). This is chance to force Trump-Bernhardt to show cowardice & lying about drilling. See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/10/17/stories/1061296811

#497: Interior hires another energy company lackey & anti-conservationist for top staff position to head communication, external affairs, and intergovernmental relations. Qualifications? He worked for Rep. Gosar Ariz who competes with Rob Bishop for being most anti-Endangered Species Act & pro-drilling of public lands & oceans. There are no professional trained conservationists in appointed staff positions in the entire Dept. That’s what Bernhardt calls “balance.” See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/10/16/stories/1061288505

#496: Interior’s International Hunting Council meets again but neither transcripts nor videos of their meetings will be made public in keeping with Bernhardt’s Policy of No Transparency. He refuses to provide calendars & info about his ethical scandals & is cutting FOIA so he doesn’t have to release info about energy domination of their policies. Apparently, House Democrats can not do anything about his lack of transparency. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/10/15/stories/1061286649

#495: Congress is actually proposing to do something about wildlife conservation! Debbie Dingell has proposed for new $1.3 Billion in funds from Treasury (Not oil companies fund!) to aid state wildlife protection efforts. Will it get Interior Dept & Republican support? It prominently mentions hunting & fishing throughout so it might have a chance—Trophy hunting is Bernhardt’s only interest in wildlife & he only likes $ that come from drilling so I am skeptical that he will throw support behind it as is. See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/10/15/stories/1061279345

#493: Bernhardt’s Nat. Park Service to allow ATV’s! Park Superintendents are alarmed—noise & going off road will destroy parks. But this is vision of Bernhardt’s “wilderness:” Lots of ATVs, snowmobiles, e-bikes on trails, cows grazing, lead bullets to kill any animals that threaten cows, roads thru wilderness to better access to trophy hunters—This is what Bernhardt is implementing. Sad thing: Nobody can stop him. Apparently, House NR Committee is impotent & rest of Congress too invested in impeachment to care about what’s happening to public lands. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/10/11/stories/1061251645

#492: BLM moving West to get local input?? They don't want local input! BLM has eliminated local input from western local Resource Advisory Councils that is supposed to do that! BLM has eliminated or refused to have most of them meet or recomposed them to be sure they follow Trump priorities. Why? Because they don’t want local input that could slow down drilling & mining—they only want energy dominance input! See excellent article by Jesse Dunn at https://medium.com/westwise/how-the-interior-department-squashed-public-advisory-committees-1d6e3d935460​#491: Interior wants to cut royalty rates on industry for non-energy from 6% to 2%--2/3 cut. So the public which owns these lands gets LESS $ & the land is disfigured but industry profits. Par for Bernhardt: Everything for industry, Nothing for public or conservation. See https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2019/10/09/stories/1061234649

#490: Even Republican Rep. from Nevada don’t know what the hell is going on with BLM move! Rep. Amodei’s state is Nev. & HE is DEMANDING more info & Interior won’t provide it! What more does House NR Committee need before they put the screws to this stupid move? See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/10/09/stories/1061233037

#488: BLM Miniature Bernhardt: Amanda Kaster, BLM’s acting Chief of Staff. She resented House oversight visit & charged that she was bullied. Like Davy, she refuses to have any oversight. E&E asked for info supporting her allegations & None was provided. Bernhardt used her false allegation as excuse to stop ANY Oversight visits by House staff. Shows once more that Bernhardt & his flunkies have NO RESPECT for Congress at all. Until Congress does something SUBSTANTIVE (e.g., funding cuts/subpoenas), Interior will continue to laugh at them. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/10/09/stories/1061233409

#487: Even more stupidity of Trump-Bernhardt: Zion attendance DOUBLED over last decade so they are trying to expand access to east side of park. Imagine demand for monuments in a few years? What are they doing about rapidly expanding demand for parks-monuments? They slashed Grand Staircase-Escalante to about half of its original 1.9-million-acre footprint and reduced the 1.35-million-acre Bears Ears monument to 202,000 acres. Our children & grandchildren will curse Trump & Bernhardt for their blindness & subservience to industry. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/10/08/stories/1061224051

#486: Wilderness From Untrammeled to Bikes, ATVs & Snowmobiles. Wilderness Act of 1964, lawmakers defined wilderness as "an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain.” Bernhardt & Sen. Lee allow e-bikes/mountain bikes “in wilderness areas.” Of course, with people riding at high speeds the areas are no longer wilderness! But that doesn’t matter to these Yahoos. For them: Wilderness areas are FIRST & FOREMOST for humans, especially those who like speed & comfort. Too bad if it harms wildlife. Even more troubling, Many in Recreational industry support e-bikes & multi-use in wilderness. I used to think that wildlife would be restricted to tiny but at least protected areas where they would have priority. Now it’s clear to me that Republicans & recreationists like e-bike proponent Kurt Gensheimer don’t give a damn about wilderness or wildlife, only satisfying themselves. John Muir, your hopes are lost. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/10/08/stories/1061224691

#484: Coal Mining David Bernhardt has in his short time in office proven to be an even worse Secretary of Interior than Ryan Zinke. Below are DOCUMENTED reasons why he should be removed from office before he further destroys conservation & wildlife. But Trump's otheragencies have also been extremely harmful including EPA and Agriculture. Below I comment on wildlife politics broadly as well as on this destructive Administration.

#483: Excellent article by Rosenberg of Union of Concerned Scientists on Meaningless Recusals by Pendley & Bernhardt—it means to them only they not directly talk with former clients but SHOULD mean not working on matters of interest to them. Pendley has 60 former clients. He should AVOID the appearance of wrongdoing but given # of conflicts, it is impossible for him to do job as head of BLM & avoid appearance of wrongdoing. Of course, the very same situation has not stopped Bernhardt either. Moreover, with Bernhardt, he has continued to talk to clients even when not supposed to as in Westlands case but simply refuses to provide evidence to Congress so that he can be evicted from his job. They are epitome unethical public servants with scandalous behavior far exceeding that of the Teapot Dome Scandal that hit Interior Dept during Harding era. See https://blog.ucsusa.org/andrew-rosenberg/recusal-is-not-an-excusal-william-pendley-and-conflicts-of-interest-at-the-blm#.XZtzv7Qquiw.twitter

#482: First Lady & Bernhardt had students pledge “protect and respect Grand Teton National Park and all wild places.” I guess that doesn’t include Grand Escalante, Bears Ears, or ANWR! & encouraged children spend more time outdoors—for Bernhardt that means shooting trophies. What phonies! https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2019/10/04/stories/1061200761

#480: BLM Move West & Ocean Drilling Plan are 2 major pressure points to get Bernhardt to be accountable. The move has little Cong support, No employee enthusiasm, & NO EVIDENCE to justify it. They’ve worked on Drilling Ocean Plan for months yet are scared to death to release it. Push them on both! See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/10/04/stories/1061200019

#479: Interior’s Office devoted to Mine Safety (OSMIRE) just gave Coal Company that’s taking over Blackjewel’s disastrous mine deal to promise to keep them out of “Applicant Violator System” & does not mention fate of unpaid royalties & rents! Interior’s Policy: Nothing Too Much for Energy Industry, Nothing Too Little for Conservation. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/10/03/stories/1061195737

#474: The First Lady visited Washington Monument w/Bernhardt in tow & now visiting National Parks. Her “pillar” is “Be Best”—she should visit monument areas cut by Trump & Bernhardt & try to convert them to her “pillar” because they have been the Worst. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/10/01/stories/1061187093

#473: Bernhardt nominates Energy First & Foremost lackey as Deputy Sec. of Interior. Kate MacGregor has led Dept.’s Plan for OFFSHORE oil & gas drilling! Senate: Don’t approve her UNLESS she releases Plan Details NOW! House NR Committee: if she refuses to release it, subpoena her plan! She led effort to deregulate methane, reduced renewables budget, & doesn’t mention conservation in statement of her goals for Interior! See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/10/01/stories/1061187067

#472: Worst Sec. of Interior Ever Reappoints Worst BLM chief ever! The two are in love affair over mutual obsessions, giving favors to industry, spoiling public lands & oceans. It’s a coupling made in hell. Notice that all of Bernhardt appointments are so bad they are either NEVER approved or get no Democratic support because they’re so bad which is why his staff is full of part-timers. House NR Committee: Save us from this destructive Creep! See https://www.eenews.net/stories/1061184869

#471: Interior & Republicans don’t want mandatory funding of LWCF program even though that program has huge public & Cong. support & Bernhardt bragged about more $ for funding it even though he had zero-funded it! They only will fund it with $ from oil leasing. Don’t claim any credit for Lousy LCWF support at election time! See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/09/30/stories/1061184047

#470: Who is Bernhardt’s worst appointee? It’s a tough competition!: Jorjani who weakened Intl Migratory Bird Treaty & other anti-conservation opinions; Karen Budd-Falen & Susan Combs who hate the ESA & public lands; Aurelia Skipwith, unqualified Monsanto pesticide lackey who’s in charge of USFWS, but Pendey, who never saw public lands OR OCEANS that he didn’t want to hand over to energy industry takes the cake! See detailed account of his Reagan years where he pushed “excess leasing” of public lands that proved to be “fire sale” & had coal industry pay illegally for meal—also wants to hand over oceans to them too! He truly is a Bernhardt industry lackey clone! See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/09/30/stories/1061183795

#469: Bernhardt has never tweeted about wildlife conservation, only killing wildlife. His only "Nature" tweets (i.e. not bragging about energy-border patrol-GNP etc.) are about TROPHY hunting. (See blog #’s below for doc. of each point). He’s opened wildlife REFUGES to more hunting (#404) & lead bullets (#289), set up Intl Wildlife Council run by Safari club trophy hunters (#401) & opposed CECIL act protecting lions (#287), allowed killing of cubs & pups in dens & airborne hunting in Alaska (#421), stopped protection of wolves (#90). Contrary to his bullshit, reliance on hunting to support conservation is STUPID & is threatening preservation of wildlife-recreation in U.S.—hunters #’s & expendits. WAY down (#422-423)—95% of visits to Wildlife Refuges are to WATCH, not kill, wildlife (#275). I am going to track subject matter of his future tweets to provide AMMO for his impeachment.

#464: Jorjani appearance before House NR Comm. proves ONLY funding & subpoenas will make him produce requested information. He brags about 1000’s of irrelevant pages Interior handed over to Comm. knowing that it's all irrelevant & intended to waste time. Let’s be clear: Bernhardt’s Dept. will NOT provide anything harmful to him UNLESS LEGALLY FORCED TO, whether through funding or subpoenas. See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/09/27/stories/1061172861

#462: Rob Bishop angry with delays on blacklog bill! Why isn’t he angry about delay in Interior’s Plan for Drilling oceans? Or in providing details on Bernhardt’s scandals that Grijalva asked for months ago? This anti-ESA creep is a joke. See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/09/26/stories/1061170583

#460: New USFWS Head Aurelia Skipwith Refuses to Answer questions on her jobs in agribusiness or meetings since got job! Wow! She said to Senator: Use FOIA to get answers! Wow, she learned STONEWALLING from Bernhardt & like Bernhardt gets away with it—she’s approved by Senate—Republican Senators don’t give a damn about stonewalling if it’s by a industry lackey. Let’s start preparing her impeachment for stonewalling now along with Bernhardt’s! See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/09/25/stories/1061169053

#457: Recusals by Pendley & Bernhardt Meaningless: Pendley has recused self from Escalante court case because he lobbied to support reductions but ALL of HIS STAFF are just as closely tied to Energy-Ranching industries as he so recusal it means nothing. Note: Scott de lab Vega, Interior’s Corruption Officer didn’t see anything wrong with Trump’s Arizona donor project actions involved! See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/09/24/stories/1061166039

#456: Interior’s Intl Wildlife Conservation Advisory Committee: Lawsuit over trophy hunter group reveals Interesting Fact: Advisory Comm. Meetings are supposed to be TRANSPARENT but there are NO TRANSCRIPTS for 2 meetings & omitted words in ones that are available. Situation Normal for Bernhardt’s Interior: No Transparency & Lots of Stonewalling. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/09/24/stories/1061165993

#454: Bernhardt Should Be Impeached for Stonewalling: Listening to discussion tonight of why Trump promises to provide transcript of conversation with Ukraine’s President: Stonewalling on this would be sufficient reason for impeachment & Trump is aware of this. If that is the case, there are Tons of Reasons to Impeach Bernhardt for his stonewalling, refusal to provide detailed calendars, employees to testify on his misdeeds, details on his involvement in Arizona Trump Donor & California Westmark scandals (see #419 below). His performance on the job has been terrible, refusing to provide plan for ocean drilling & not provide justification for spending millions to move BLM west, (Below are 453 documented details of his disastrous actions). In short, he has NO REDEEMING VALUE. The U.S. & Dept of Interior (and public lands-oceans-environment) would be freed from their main threat.

#452: Rob Bishop is mulling run for Utah governor! He’s the guy who’s led attacks on End. Species Act & conservation forever (see #9 below). Where would he do less harm? Current gov. Hebert is total loser too so wouldn’t have any impact on Utah & anybody better than this creep in Congress so I hope he runs. See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/09/24/stories/1061164427

#450: Republicans try to complete their destruction of Teddy Roosevelt Heritage by trying to weaken the ESA. They’ve already handed over (Teddy) Roosevelt Reservation on Border to the Army (see #437), Cut monuments (Teddy originated monument idea), & weakened Migratory Bird Treaty (Teddy love & protected birds-See #322). There are NO MORE CONSERVATION-MINDED Republicans left. Time for all of those who care about wildlife, conservation, & public lands to vote Republicans out. See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/09/24/stories/1061164437

#449: Bernhardt solves accountability problems: He & BLM will share offices with energy companies. No longer will he need to have formal meetings, phone calls, emails. No FOIA will be able to detect their face-to-face meetings! They can get together at the toilets—where they all belong. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/09/23/stories/1061162935

#448: Royalty Bills for fossil fuel cleanup: Interior & Republicans don’t want to protect communities when it costs energy companies. The USGAO report showed that ¾ of bonding on Federal wells is insufficient. BLM’s response to the Report? Nothing—they will continue as is. Bloated Bernhardt brags all the time about all of the drilling but NEVER talks about the bad impacts on communities that I have detailed (#429 below). I hope Democratic Reps. & candidates in these states will make an issue of this & that media will take notice. See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/09/23/stories/1061159611 & full GAO report at https://www.gao.gov/assets/710/701450.pdf

#447: The Senate is moving to confirm Skipwith--Travesty! Why didn’t Democrats ask Skipwith nominee to head USFWS tough questions? Where does she stand on Endangered Species Act? On compensatory mitigation for lost habitat? On weakening of International Bird Migratory Act? On drilling ANWR? USFWS is ONLY agency whose purpose is to protect species—why should someone who supports these actions, especially if they are not a conservation professional but a former Monsanto employee serve in this job? What the hell is wrong with Democratic staff? See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/09/23/stories/1061160491

#446: There are NO TEDDY ROOSEVELT Republicans anymore. Senate Republicans are pushing through Jorjani even tho Dems oppose & he has weakened Migratory Bird Treaty as well as other anti-conservation measures. They have abdicated any right to receive votes of any citizens that care about conservation & wildlife. See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/09/23/stories/1061159631

#445: House & Senate: Use Interior Funding to force action on accountability, BLM move, & ocean drilling plan. Finally, Grijalva is threatening action against Bernhardt (Hurray!!) but Interior's response that they provided thousands of documents (but NOT WHAT WAS REQUESTED) shows that stonewalling just continues. The ONLY thing Bernhardt respects is HARD action & nothing such as been done to him yet. It looks like the Senate is moving to compromise on Interior Funding. Dem House Reps should contact their Senate colleagues & tell them why compromise is FAILURE unless they get Bernhardt to stop stonewalling. Holding the budget & subpoenas are not only justified, they are NECESSARY if Congress is to do its job. See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/09/23/stories/1061159567https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/09/23/stories/1061159559

#444: Stupidity of Trump, Bernhardt & Utah Pols Proven Once Again: They cut monuments in order to boost oil production but latest report shows that outdoor recreation is growing faster & contributes more to the overall GDP than some other traditional industries, including farming, ranching and mining. What’s more, as population growth & development continues, the value of unspoiled lands will grow geometrically compared to energy-ranching. Also note that the growth in outdoor recreation is due to WATCHING wildlife, not hunting it—hunting continues its downward spiral as in #422-423 below. See https://phys.org/partners/university-of-california---san-diego/

#443: Hallelujah! Wyden slows down Jorjani’s vote. It’s about time that SOMEBODY in Congress stopped automatic approval of Bernhardt’s Interior appointments ALL of WHICH like Jorjani (Koch brother’s graduate) are proven industry lackeys but also ACTIVELY oppose conservation function of the Dept—like Pendley & Budd-Falen who oppose public lands & Jorjani who weakened Intl Migratory Bird Treaty. Now if we could just get House Dems to do something significant like punishing stonewalling Bernhardt, we might get somewhere. See https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2019/09/20/stories/1061144367

#442: EPA again challenges for Worst Agency status. Even oil-drilling fanatic Alaska Sen. Murkowski has doubts about the Pebble Mine that EPA has approved. EPA under Wheeler & Interior under Bernhardt: Twin faces of evil & destruction. Need to get rid of both of them. 4 more years of these 2 creeps would totally destroy public lands-oceans. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/09/19/stories/1061139375

#440: Mitch McConnell forcing vote for Jorjani to be Interior Solicitor. This comes at time when Cornell studies show loss of billions of birds which Jorjani is hastening by weakening International Migratory Bird Treaty! Well, I guess he doesn’t depend on votes of anyone who cares for the environment so why be surprised? See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/09/20/stories/1061141151

#438 Bernhardt to Park Superintendents: Shut Up. Don’t criticize energy developments even if they are based on NPS scientific studies in keeping with opposition to all forms of accountability such as FOIA, testifying & providing docs. to Congress, NEPA reviews, time to make public comment on rules. He has acted this way from the very start but gotten away with it because Republicans don’t care or cheer him on & House Democrats have been totally ineffective—his scandals are far worse than Zinke’s but nothing happens to this creep. See https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2019/09/19/stories/1061139951

#435: Decision Time here: Will Democrats Fold & let Bernhardt do whatever he wants—move West & continue stonewalling or will they use BUDGETARY power to make themselves RELEVANT for a change? Unfortunately, given Grijalva’s apparent fear of Bernhardt (I am beginning to think he’s being blackmailed), I’m not optimistic. See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/09/19/stories/1061136099

#433: Florida Senators & Reps: Maybe Bernhardt will listen to you? You propose permanent moratorium on drilling off Florida. Davy has IGNORED House Dems requests for info but maybe he is more afraid of you since Trump needs Florida? Time to produce their 5-year plan. If he refuses, Impeach him & get replacement who will! See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/09/19/stories/1061136083

#432: House NR Committee approved bills against trophy hunting of lions. However, Blowhard Don Young of Alaska opposes the bill. He & fellow Alaskans see nothing wrong with killing cubs & pups in dens or wolves from planes. So what’s the big deal with lions? Oh, that’s right, Donald Jr. and Eric like their trophies. See https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2019/09/18/stories/1061135533

#431: The Swamp Merry Go Round at Interior Continues: Attny Burke who worked on energy left Dept to join firm where she will work with energy clients! This comes after Balash who headed ANWR drilling did the same just recently. Indeed, you cannot find a top Interior staff person who is not an industry lackey. Swampy Behavior—thy name is Bernhardt & Trump. See https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2019/09/18/stories/1061135445

#430: Interior Crappy Personnel Management: BLM did not meet its own deadline to inform personnel who will be transferred to West. Every once in a while, Bernhardt et al. talk about their staff. Well, their treatment of them is now revealed—they treat them like trash that can be disposed of. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/09/18/stories/1061134969

#429: More on Bad Effects of Drilling: House Democrats want to force oil-gas industry to put up $ to assure wells are plugged before they drill. The Poor Industry claims they can’t afford it! Bernhardt et al. brag every day how much oil is produced but he doesn’t want to ensure safety of public lands. He should be impeached. See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/09/18/stories/1061131183

#428: Bernhardt’s Anti-ESA regulations are being opposed by House Dems. In essence, it will allow USFWS to determine whether to provide protections to threatened species. Guess what will happen when Monsanto’s Skipwith (now USFWS Director!) will do when industry interests conflict with species. And why didn’t anyone question Skipwith about her position on ESA?? https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/09/18/stories/1061132049

#426: Amazing: Interior Board of Appeals overrules Bernhardt plan to raze Grand Escalante forest because it would hurt migratory birds though they allowed other devegetation efforts to happen. Apparently Bernhardt hasn't been able to fully staff this part of INterior with industry lackeys. Expect Bernhardt to soon appoint more industry-friendly members to Board. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/09/17/stories/1061130453

#423: Big Drop in Hunting Excise Revs: Wildlife Restoration account during the 3 qtrs of FY 2019 continue to slip and are now showing 7% reduction from the same period last year… arrow shaft excise tax collections are down a whopping 24% from last year’s collections. Firearms…are showing moderate reductions (3%-4%..). Ammunition…showing a much larger loss (15%) from the same period in 2018. See full report at https://wildlifemanagement.institute/outdoor-news-bulletin/september-2019/excise-tax-snapshot

#422: One More Nail in Coffin of Hunter-based funding of conservation: Wildlife Management Institute (Pro-Hunting group) says “large internet-based hunting equipment sales have made the connection between consumers and foreign manufacturers easier” cutting excise taxes for Pittman-Robertson. This is in addition to the fact that last generation the percentage (and even actual numbers) of hunters is been CONSISTENTLY DOWN and promises to go much lower. What to do? Don’t look to Interior or most states-they are doubling down on trying to recruit hunters as solution (they either are dumb &/or determined not to allow wildlife watchers to dominate policy). See https://wildlifemanagement.institute/outdoor-news-bulletin/september-2019/leakage-american-system-conseration-funding-part-1

#419: New IG Watchdog, Mark Greenblatt, to go after small infractions by low level employees??? when he should investigate MAJOR ethical misdoing by Bernhardt such as missing calendars, Trump Arizona donor project, & Calif. Westlands scandals. Don’t dodge the tough important issues! Show some courage & professionalism. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/09/16/stories/1061125995​#418: House Democrats & Conservation: Priority #1 should be make Bernhardt’s Interior accountable for missing calendars & unethical lobbying & his stonewalling on needed information: He has not just ignored your committee but attacked its ability to do their monitoring job. What more needs to be said? The most obvious method is to STOP FUNDING BLM MOVE West until Bernhardt is forced to answer. If you don’t do something strong about his disrespecting you, your committee will be irrelevant & a laughing stock. See below for numerous items supporting the need for this priority.

#417: Is McCollum tough enough to take on trophy hunter Bernhardt? It seems that for whatever reason, Grijalva is AFRAID of him. Davy has totally disrespected House NR Committee & so far NOTHING has been done to him in response! Cut appropriations for Move West until he has produced responses to not just move but ALL OF HIS SCANDALS. He has laughed at your committee long enough. https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/09/13/stories/1061115401

#415: In my Wildlife Politics book (Cambridge U.P. 2017) I discuss how environmental issues crucial to humans such as clean air & water get more attention & support than those aimed at wildlife. However, I have to admit that the Trump Admin. EPA is challenging this as they consistently have taken away rules that protected clean air & water (in addition to their attack on wildlife such as approval of pesticides.) In short, this Admin. is truly horrible to all living life, human and other! See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/09/11/stories/1061111769

#413: One Day of Bernhardt: (1) Approves broadest drilling option for ANWR; (2) Bans travel for House NR Committee staff oversight; (3) Approves thousands of acres of lease near monument & tribal area opposed by tribes. These harmful actions in SINGLE day show why Bernhardt has to be removed immediately to conserve public lands. See #409=412 https://www.wildlifepolitics.org/blog

#412: BLM to lease 32,000 acres of public land near tribal grounds & national monument. Tribal groups including All Pueblo Council & Navajo Utah Commission against this but BLM lackey Finch said they “consult with tribes.” Well, every single instance they decide AGAINST tribes, their so-called consultation is CRAP. See https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2019/09/12/stories/1061115063

#409: Bernhardt bans House NR Committee Travel! He’s refused to provide info on unethical Westlands & Arizona Donor scandals, refused to provide report that shows No Big Oil Revs in ANWR, & now plays hardball with House NR Committee! When is Grijalva going to respond in kind? Take away All funding for BLM move. DEMAND info by subpoena? Take away funding of salaries UNTIL they are responsive? Do House NR Committee have any spine? If they don’t respond with HARDBALL actions, they have just proven they are IRRELEVANT & no sense paying any attention to their statements anymore. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/09/12/stories/1061114837

#408: BLM offers cash bonuses to Move West??! Well, when you can’t offer COHERENT RATIONALE FOR MOVE, they are necessary. Was $ for this in Budget? They zeroed out LWCF & reduced conserv. $ but find $ to move close to energy-ranching industries so they can accede to their wishes. https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/09/12/stories/1061114803

#407: News accounts show nothing but Softball questions for Skipwith, nominee to head USFWS. She does NOT have required credentials. She has done NOTHING to speak up for conservation during period when Bernhardt has done numerous anti-conservation actions. Did anybody ask her position on changes to ESA?!! Whether she supports compensatory mitigation? What she thinks about use of least-restrictive option for Grand Escalante destruction? Her position on ANWR drilling & fact that BLM hid report showed little oil revs there? Drilling on oceans? Do the Democrats on this Committee lack competent staff? I am disgusted. See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/09/12/stories/1061113479

#406: New IG patrolling Interior Dept. Start with TOP SCANDALS—Bernhardt’s involvement with Calif. Westlands & Ariz.Trump Donor projects. He has stonewalled House NR Committee, laughing at their info requests & needs your authority to be accountable. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/09/11/stories/1061113125

#402: One More Time: House NR Democrats: Time to Grill coward Bernhardt on drilling plan. He’s had months to come up with it. He’s vulnerable & knows it—Time to put the screws to him. You have Florida Repubs with you & Trump has to win Florida! This is when you have leverage! See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/09/10/stories/1061111731​#401: Member of Interior’s Intl Wildlife (i.e. Trophy hunting) Council got to import rhino horn. He sees no conflict behind this & his membership on the Council=Bernhardt’s No Ethics Required approach to job. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/09/09/stories/1061111633

​#400: Democrats to Bernhardt: Respect GAO opinion on entry fees. Bernhardt to Democrats: Go to Hell! Democrats called on Bernhardt to respect GAO’s decision that use of park fees to keep parks open was illegal. In effect, his response: I’ll do what I want & you can’t do anything to me. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/09/09/stories/1061111643

#399: Still more questions for Skipwith: She wants to head USFWS responsible for protecting endangered species. Tell us what you have done to protect them—what is your position on ANWR drilling in which Interior’s own report showed would harm critical habitat; what is your position on BLM choosing least restrictive option for developing Grand Escalante, what is your position on compensatory mitigation? What is your position on proposed weakening of ESA? Have you EVER forced a decision made where conservation was prioritized over energy dominance?

#398: Louisiana wants lower royalty rate from Trump-Bernhardt for shallow water drilling! One more reason to DEMAND Bernhardt testify on coastal drilling plan with NO MORE DELAYS. This is a winning political issue for Dems--take advantae of it! See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/09/09/stories/1061111363

#397: Monsanto employee to head USFWS??? Grill Skipwith on Trump’s EPA stance on chemicals that harm wildlife. Ask her why a Chemical company grad should head agency rather than CONSERVATION PROFESSIONAL. Indeed, let her list all of the TOP USFWS staff who are career conservationists. It will be a blank list! See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/09/09/stories/1061111349

#392: GAO says that Bernhardt clearly broke law when ordered use of entry fees keep parks open. Interior refused to respond to GAO requests for info. Bernhardt has not responded also to House NR Committee several times. He has repeatedly scorned Congress & GAO but suffered no consequences. Bernhardt’s (un)ethics office says he’s fine. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/09/06/stories/1061111333

#391: Department of Non-Transparency (Interior): BLM head Pendley said he was unable to answer employee objections to move & apologized for “non-transparency.” At least Pendley met face-to-face with employees unlike Trophy Hunter coward David Bernhardt who never exposes himself to input. Pendley says they will spend $5.6 M on move even tho they have not responded to Congressional demands for details. (Note: Bernhardt ZERO FUNDED LWCF program—couldn’t come up with $1 for it). If this spectacle is not enough for House Dems to grill Bernhardt on this & his ethical transgressions, what is? If they don’t do anything to this creep now, they are worthless. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/09/06/stories/1061111343

#390: Interior’s “Ethics” Officers Policy: Let Bernhardt & his underlings communicate with their industry friends as they wish. If they are found out, excuse them. Udall is trying to find some justification for Balash’s new job with company that will drill ANWR after he approved drilling—Good luck! These officials would have excused Hitler if they worked for him. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/09/05/stories/1061111225

#389: No Balance: There is supposed to be a balance in use of public lands (& oceans) between environmental-conservation & other uses. Under Trump-Bernhardt, there is no balance. In EVERY SINGLE decision, they have sacrificed conservation-environment-wilderness to industries such as (documentation for each point at #s below): Grand Escalante planed chose LEAST restrictive option (368), build road thru old-growth Tongass Forest (357), build border wall thru protected areas & refuges (381), drill ANWR despite evidence of little oil & negative consequences for wildlife (310), eliminate NEPA reviews for roads thru wilderness (335), open badlands to ATVs (326). These are just a few—more lack of balance examples to come.

#388: Great article in Yahoo News that proves Bernhardt’s constant talk about “backlog maintenance” is hugely exaggerated & aimed at getting more privatization of national parks to “enhance their experience” and “access” by building roads & allowing ATVs etc. in the parks. Bernhardt just settled (i.e., gave) #3 million to Delaware North company whose owner is most generous Trump supporter! Bernhardt-Trump’s budget made huge cuts in Park funding. Bernhardt-Trump solution? Allow more drilling on public lands & waters to finance maintenance—no DIRECT CONGRESSINAL funding. It’s time for Dems on House NR Committee to question this whole funding charade. See https://news.yahoo.com/trump-wants-the-national-parks-to-generate-revenue-critics-see-creeping-privatization-151558607.html

#387: Pendley moves BLM employees without providing any justification for moves. When Udall (Sen. NM) asked for details, BLM threatened his state with loss of New Mexico jobs. Wow, this is our non-transparent & shady political Department of Interior at work. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/09/04/stories/1061110927

#386: Bernhardt-Trump Swamp Continues to Grow: Joe Balash former BLM official who headed effort to drill ANWR has just joined company in charge of drilling it! Of course, he will “keep pledge to not lobby”—just like Bernhardt (who lobbied anyway but was excused by Trump so-called “ETHICS” official (see #375 below). See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/09/04/stories/1061110933

#383: The Big Stupidity: Funding for conservation of wildlife & habitat has been decreasing for a generation but trophy-hunter dominated Federal & state officials continually pursue ONE SOLUTION sure to fail: recruit more hunters rather than turn to New Model of Funding based on general taxes. I have documented this in detail in my paper—see pp. 13-15. Heads of organizations like Teddy Roosevelt Conservation Consortium, Ducks Unlimited, Boone & Crockett—are all headed by similar moronic thinking. Indeed, they actively oppose the idea of expansion of general taxes because they fear LOSS OF CONTROL over wildlife policy. See The Politics of State Wildlife Management: Why Anti-Conservation Forces Usually Win at https://www.wildlifepolitics.org/uploads/9/2/1/7/92174584/rocheleau.politics_of_state_wildlife_management_medium_numbered_.pdf

#382: New York Times Editorial Board Has It Right: Trump-Bernhardt see public lands as property of Miners, Loggers, Drillers (Add: welfare ranchers), not general public. They have zero funded LWCF & reduced support for conservation—the ONLY interest in nature is to try to build roads thru it for dev. or support of trophy hunting. The editorial details consistent attack in cases of Pebble Mine, Tongass National Forest, Boundary Waters—many more examples are covered below. There is plenty of evidence to prove ethical transgressions of Sec. of Interior Bernhardt & his removal would allow debate over these issues in Senate where so far Murkowski & Manchin have dominated with policy aimed at allowing drilling-mining regardless of harms. We can’t afford to wait any longer, House Natural Resources Committee! See https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/31/opinion/trump-nature-minnesota-alaska.html

#379: Bernhardt issues order to allow e-bikes on Park Service trails without discussion or input from anybody. Situation Normal for Bernhardt: No transparency, No participation for users “except interested industries.” He should not be allowed to be Secretary for ONE DAY More. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/08/30/stories/1061110687

#377: Pendley BLM head claims support for sale of Fed. Lands “irrelevant!”??? Irrelevant? He’s in charge of millions of acres of public land! He also praised cut back of Bears Ears & other monuments & pardoning of arsonists of Fed. Lands. This is the guy we want in charge of deciding whether to drill & develop lands & protect habitat & sacred areas?? No! Would we put someone in charge of public health or doesn't believe in vaccinations? No.! Minn. Steve Daines supports him—one more great reason to get rid of Daines from Congress.

#373: Guess who harms mule deer the most—not wolves, grizzlies, or mountain lions but oil-gas industry! 20-year long scientific research shows that their disturbance of land reduces their habitat. Trophy hunters—your enemy is energy—not animal predators! And guess who is pushing ALL OUT for more energy disturbance of land! Trump-Bernhardt! See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/08/27/stories/1061091309

#372: Interior political appointee “harassed” by HR staff! Bernhardt’s staff who have stonewalled Grijalva's Committee refusing to provide details on meeting with former companies & ethical questions about Arizona & California—they don’t like to be questioned! Hey, Bernhardt lackeys, you are SERVANTS of the public & it is Congress’s DUTY to get answers. Until Bernhardt et al. provide these, their salaries should be withheld. The good news about this is maybe Grijalva's Committee is finally doing something about the cesspool that is Bernhardt's Interior Dept. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/08/27/stories/1061090955

#371: It’s about time: Dem. Appropriators challenged BLM move. Yes, forbid any funding for this move until Bernhardt demonstrates fully how it will SAVE $ for Interior—not for Energy-Welfare Rancher industries. And, while at it, how about why there has been NO MOVE on Bernhardt Scandals (California & Arizona & meetings with lobbyists scandals). Does he have something on Grijalva who a while back said “you’d better bring you’re “A” game if you challenge Bernhardt?? It’s long past due to do something about this creep—every day he does something new to threaten conservation. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/08/26/stories/1061079279

#370: Gordon long-time ESA opponent who doesn’t believe in use of scientific models to protect species put in charge of USGS research related to ESA! What data does Low IQ Gordon use? The orders he receives from industry. This is just latest in series appointments by Bernhardt of people who oppose functions (e.g,, Pendley against public lands in charge of BLM & Combs against ESA put in charge of wildlife policy). It is totally outrageous but in constantly outrageous Trump world, it hardly gets a peep from Congress. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/08/26/stories/1061079745

#369: BLM’s plans for land taken back from Grand Escalante Monument involve handing it over to public lands ranchers who are a small & declining percent of population & their contributions to state economies are small compared to wildlife watching. Moreover, these “so-called independent cowboys” are generally wealthy & receive much more in benefits from government than they pay for with the paltry fees charged for using public lands. Nevertheless, because these ranchers often run for & win office & go all out for their own economic interests, they dominate decisions about wolves & other wildlife. For details & proof of these points, see pp. 11-12 in https://www.wildlifepolitics.org/uploads/9/2/1/7/92174584/rocheleau.politics_of_state_wildlife_management_medium_numbered_.pdf#

368: BLM’s just released BLM plan for Grand Escalante is trash. They choose an alternative to allow huge grazing with ONE SINGLE irrelevant reference for support (Bowker et al., 2013). There is a TON of scientific evidence to show harmful impacts of grazing on public lands they don’t mention at all. This review is a joke--it is totally incompetent. Is there ANYONE on House’s HR Committee professional staff who is knowledgeable enough to CALL THEM ON THIS?? Can anyone contact them about this? See BLM’s pathetic justifications on p3-105 of their report: https://eplanning.blm.gov/epl-front-office/projects/lup/94706/20001993/250002378/02_GSENM-KEPA_Proposed_RMPs-Final_EIS_Volume1.pdfLaughably they talk about how the harmful effects of cattle grazing can be “mitigated”—Maybe they haven’t heard that Bernhardt doesn’t believe in mitigation for industries—it would increase their costs! See #368 https://www.wildlifepolitics.org/ For a partial documentation of harmful impacts of grazing, see Debra Donahue, Western Grazing: The Capture of Grass, Ground, and Government, 35 Envtl. L. 721(2005) 721-806.

#365: Bernhardt's BLM Grand Staircase Plan: Choose LEAST RESTRICTIVE alternative that allows most oil-gas-coal & cattle-grazing on 860,000 acres he stole from the monument. It makes NO “provisions to lands with wilderness characteristics specifically to maintain, protect, and preserve their wilderness.” The next time Bernhardt or Trump even MENTION the word “conservation,” everyone present should first laugh with scorn & then leave. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/08/23/stories/1061045261

#364: Budd-Falen says gutting of End. Species Act is just beginning—more bad changes on way to help “collaboration.” Low IQ Falen apparently unaware that current ESA has Habitat Conservation Plans, ITPs (Incidental take permits) & many other collaboration methods that include ALL KEY stakeholders. What Budd-Falen & Bernhardt want is a process dominated by industry & their western state lackeys. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/08/22/stories/1061032889 & https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/stories/1060088989/ this latter link shows western republicans for destroying ESA!

#363: Report says Interior has “vacancy problem” with no permanent employees in many positions. Actually, problem is not vacancies—it is that ALL of Bernhardt hires are industry lobbyists—nobody committed to conservation & with conservation background. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/08/22/stories/1061033723

#362: Must Reading: New York Times report shows that Bernhardt has put False Spin on ANWR drilling: Little evidence of any big bonanza from drilling—probably at most 45 Billion—for which pristine wildlife refuge will be destroyed. Only 1 exploratory well has been drilled & Interior won’t release it! (Guess what this means about the results!) There has been little interest of interest from oil industry because they know it’s not going to be very productive. Most Native Americans have been ignored as Interior has rushed past usual requirements & reviews & negative comments on its impact. Indeed, the official who initially proposed fieldwork found little evidence of oil but his disappointing results were stripped from the final report. In short, Bernhardt-Trump want to drill fast to destroy any claim to pristine nature of the Refuge so there is no turning back. It’s time to put a stop to this monstrous attack on conservation in Alaska. See https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/21/us/oil-drilling-arctic.html?smtyp=cur&smid=tw-nytclimate

#358: Still another example of harmful oilfield discharges onto public lands in Wyoming that violate state & Federal laws & they are asking BLM to be able to build on & pollute over 327,000 acres more land! Current discharges are not good enough quality to be used for livestock. What’s more “there is no requirement for what’s known as “whole effluent testing” to ensure those [hazardous] chemicals are not being loosed into the environment.” BLM BLM, which proposes to approve the oilfield expansion, found in its own study that Alkali Creek already “has been severely impacted,” by discharges from the energy field.” Wyoming’s Fish & Game Dept. wrote it “is very concerned about fish and aquatic macroinvertebrate exposure to produced water.” With all of this negative evidence, what do you think head of BLM, Pendley, the guy who wants to hand over public lands, will do? See https://www.wyofile.com/groups-current-moneta-oilfield-discharges-already-violate-law/

#357: Bernhardt’s Forest Service (FS) ignores Alaskan Native Tribe’s opposition to road-building in Tongass National Forest. FS wants to end Obama’s Roadless Area Conservation Rule in the nation’s largest national forest. Nearby tribes oppose this change. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/08/19/stories/1061001823

#356: Stop shaking your knees, Mighty trophy hunters, Bernhardt’s USFWS is protecting against release of names of Safari Club & other trophy hunters who get FEDERAL PERMITS to import trophies. They are frightened of release of names. So cowardly! See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/08/19/stories/1061001493

#355: Abandoned coal mines cause acid mine drainage so bad that it turns rivers strange colors, sink holes & collapsing backyards forever—huge downsides of Coal Industry but funds to restore contaminated lands are totally inadequate & Trump-Bernhardt are doing NOTHING about it—they never mention it when they brag about energy production. See details at https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/08/19/stories/1060971387​#354: Bernhardt versus Endangered Species Act: Bernhardt’s Interior has listed at most 11 species per year while Obama’s Interior AVERAGED 49 per year. One more statistical proof that conservation no longer is done at Interior & Reason #354 to get rid of Bernhardt. See https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/17/opinion/endangered-species-act-trump.html

#351: Suggestion to House NR Committee: Bernhardt says he's moving Interior west because Congress has done nothing so only allow Interior Dept. move to west AFTER Bernhardt investigations are thoroughly conducted & concluded. I bet this would put an end to this move if you did it! He’s been stonewalling you forever & you have been TOTALLY passive in response so no wonder he does what he wants. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/08/16/stories/1060971699

#343: Interior’s Karen Budd-Falen, Deputy Solicitor for Parks and Wildlife, announced new rules for Endangered Species Act cutting protections for threatened species & will disregard data from scientific computer models that predict harm to species—they will only look in the future they can “reliably predict”—that is the next day! She has represented Cliven Bundy over many years & is the type of person that Bernhardt thinks should shape the ESA. Please, House Democrats on NR Committee, get rid of this bunch of industry lobbyists who are out to kill conservation. Seehttps://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/08/12/stories/1060931003 & https://departmentofinfluence.org/person/karen-budd-falen/​

#342: Bernhardt hires Coal Asso. Industry champion, Palich, to head enforcement for Surface Mining, Reclamation, & Enforcement! No doubt who he will favor when conflict between industry & safety-environment. Why can’t he hire one person who cares about conservation & environment? It’s against his evil nature. House Natural Resources Committee-we need to get rid of him immediately—every additional day in office he does irremediable harm. See https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2019/07/31/stories/1060818857

#341: One more example of bad effects of mining in West: Gold mining site causes pollution for Nez Perce Tribe & its cultural resources & fisheries in Idaho. Company claims no responsibility. Something to remember next time Bernhardt brags about all of the mining going on. See https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2019/08/09/stories/1060898657

#340: Bernhardt’s National Park Service rolls out plan to save cattle grazing on seaside at Pt. Reyes but cull elk! This is their version of “conservation.” Next time Bernhardt Trump mention conservation (I know, this is rare!), laugh at them. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/08/09/stories/1060897529

Bernhardt #338: Bernhardt gushed at how wonderful Donald Trump’s hotel was as venue for his meeting with Mining Industry! He assured them that he would remove obstacles for them. He proves once again that his head is further up Trump’s & industry's butts than any other Secretary! See https://www.citizensforethics.org/bernhardt-praised-trump-hotel-mining/

#337: Bernhardt’s Scandal Worse than Teapot Dome! New revelations show more Interior employees violated ethics to meet with former lobbying employers. Timothy Williams not only met with but carried on numerous communications with his Koch brother-funded former employer Americans For Prosperity with purpose of cutting Bears Ears Monument. Previously, another Interior lackey, Doug Domenech met with his (another Koch-funded) employer, Americans for Prosperity, inappropriately. When is Grijalva & his committee going to do something about Bernhardt & the other industry lackeys in Interior? See https://psmag.com/environment/new-documents-reveal-more-about-alleged-ethics-violations-at-the-department-of-the-interior

#336: Has Trump & Interior finally met some resistance in their handover of Interior to industry & right wing fanatics?! Sen. Tester is asking for answers about this position of turning over Federal lands. Last November’s elections shows that even in conservative states, this is NOT popular. I look forward to hearing Pendley’s answers! See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/08/08/stories/1060887211

#333: USFWS rolls out 'quantifiable' recovery goals for species but Bernhardt’s agency does not show how they will take action to achieve them. They are against “compensatory mitigation” & took position against designating La. Critical habitat for endangered frog & thus species lost in Court. In short, USFWS has become a nothing agency in a Dept dedicated to all out development. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/08/06/stories/1060866993

​#332: Radical Right Takes over BLM-wants to sell off Public Lands. Bernhardt has put so-called “Sagebrush Rebellion” leaders in charge of the agency. Pendley & Budd-Falen have taken consistent position against Federal lands. Budd-Falen sued BLM employees & Pendley says she should have won the suit! Even hunters are alarmed by them-- Backcountry Hunters & Anglers group sent out alert to me members. It’s time that Democritic politicians started making Trump-Bernhardt anti-public lands & anti-conservation Interior-BLM an issue & time for House NR Committee to call stonewalling Bernhardt to account. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/08/06/stories/1060866919

#329: Bernhardt & Trump like to brag all the time about how great coal & other energy companies are for the areas where they mine, drill, or frack. But there are loads of examples of companies going bankrupt & then leaving the locales & their workers in the lurch. See, e.g., case of Blackjewel LLC https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/08/05/stories/1060857193

#328: Mick Mulvaney, Trump’s OMB Director says that moving agencies West like Interior will “drain the swamp.” His definition of swamp: anything inside the Beltway. Actually, draining swamp, if it means anything useful, refers to corporations & their interest groups manipulating Congress & Agencies for their own profits rather than for the public good. In that case, Mulvaney can drain the swamp by getting rid of ALL of Interior Dept. top staff as they are ALL former lobbyists for corps. And by way, Mulvaney should fire himself—he was supposedly hired to cut the deficit. Instead it has ballooned to unprecedented size under his “watch.” Fire this loser! See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/08/05/stories/1060857167

#325: Bernhardt’s Forest Service eliminates 163K acres of priority sage grouse habitat & 10 million acres of "sagebrush focal areas" previously protected as “critical to their survival.” Bernhardt & Perdue gushed about the change as allowing “ranchers” to use “whatever strategies” “wherever and how” they want. Keep this in mind when Trump & Bernhardt next talk about how much they done for conservation! See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/08/02/stories/1060831361 & https://www.eenews.net/stories/1060100541

#324: Like Interior, Commerce’s NOAA loves to allow industry harm wildlife like whales—they’re allowing thousands of “injuries” to them in order to seismic test for oil. Compare this with Interior’s approval of killing denning wolf & bear cuts in National Wildlife Refuges. There are a lot of people who love whales—another good issue for Democrats if they ever start talking about environmental issues—haven’t heard them discussed in debates—Have you?! See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/07/31/stories/1060818197

#322 Bernhardt’s Solicitor nominee Jorjani in trouble. This Koch Brothers former employee & chum who ruled against birds on Migratory Bird Act interpretation & for mines is not only challenged by Sen. Wyden but Courts have allowed challenge to his abrogation of protections to migratory birds. There are a lot of bird lovers in this U.S. If this creep gets the job, it would be a great campaign issue for Democrats. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/08/01/stories/1060824015

#321: Like Interior, the Department of Agriculture wants to give “FLEXIBLITY” to state & local govts to protect sage grouse against energy industry. What does this mean? As with wolves, whales, etc., they prioritize industry over wildlife conservation. They spout “one size does not fit all” argument but truth is that wildlife are interconnected ACROSS STATES & countries & failure to protect them in one state affects all states. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/08/01/stories/1060824037

Bernhardt #320: One more case of missing information: Dems want info on billions of costs of decommission oil platforms but this would cost energy industry lots of $ so expect Bernhardt to stonewall Congress one more time. After all, he’s learned that can get away with it, so why should he provide damaging information? See https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2019/07/30/stories/1060813043

Bernhardt #319: Will Davy Bernhardt remove Confederate statue from Washington D.C. park as requested by Rep. Norton? Or does he stand with those Confederate generals like Trump? If it takes courage & might offend Trump & his racist supporters, forget about it—this pudgy trophy hunter has none. See https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2019/07/30/stories/1060812881

Bernhardt #318: Davy’s BLM gave Colorado ONE DAY to review Gunnison Sage grouse plan that doesn’t protect the grouse! Part of Bernhardt’s attempt to do away with transparency and public input so that he can serve his industry employers better. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/07/30/stories/1060811641

Bernhardt #317: Utah Governor now wants to give Najajo Nation input on Bears Ears! Too bad he & Bernhardt totally ignored them BEFORE the decision was made! Now these slimy politicos are worried about legal complications & trying to make up for omissions. Too late, Gary & Davy! See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/07/30/stories/1060812151

Bernhardt #316: Bernhardt’s recusal period is over so that he can even more openly do favors for his 22 ex-lobbying employers. But, let’s face it, ALL of his staff are also industry lobbyists so it won’t make a big difference if this creep’s recusal period is over. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/07/30/stories/1060812161

Bernhardt #313: Bernhardt’s BLM has approved a Wyoming oilfield plan that will discharge millions of gallons of polluted water into a Reservoir! They have kept quiet warnings about this plan. Who accuses Bernhardt’s BLM of these misdeeds? The EPA of the Trump Administration. One case where Bernhardt’s has exceeded the anti-conservation actions of the despicable Wheeler led EPA! Taken together with other actions such as #308 below removal of protections from toxic coal blasting, these western states are rushing after revenues & jobs associated with energy dev. but they will be left with a destroyed land that eventually no one will want to live in. See https://www.wyofile.com/epa-significant-environmental-impact-in-blm-oilfield-plan/​Bernhardt #312: Contrary to Bernhardt-Trump’s claims to be committed to conservation, BLM has greatly increased its leasing in greater sage grouse habitat according to studies. This is another example of all out subjugation of conservation to energy by Bernhardt-Trump. See https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2019/07/29/stories/1060807047

Bernhardt #311: The Politico report on ANWR also reveals Bernhardt’s previous involvement in lying about ANWR way back in 2001 when he was Gale Norton’s (another infamous Sec. of Interior) congressional affairs. Bernhardt rewrote critical comments on ANWR then claimed change was “clerical error!” Shows that he has great experience—in lying. See https://www.politico.com/interactives/2019/trump-science-alaska-drilling-rush/

Bernhardt #310: Must Reading: Politico article on how Bernhardt changed scientific review of ANWR leasing, removed comments about harmful impacts on polar bears & Native communities. He removed USFWS from review & put BLM in charge which is loaded with Bernhardt-energy cronies like Joe Balash whom he instructed to be “personally responsible” for “having a successful lease sale.”The article proves that their environmental review has been rushed many times faster than usual reviews in order to be able to sell leases before Trump is removed from office. See https://www.politico.com/interactives/2019/trump-science-alaska-drilling-rush/ & https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/07/30/stories/1060808713

Bernhardt #309: Utah county politicians paid conservative “think tanks” big bucks ($500K) to reduce Bears Ears. These lobbyists helped to hook up Utah local politicos with Zinke & Hatch & they authored a “resolution” (supposedly put forth by Utah politicos) to make the cut. They got their money’s worth: lots of new land for energy & ranchers to mine & graze while the public & wildlife lose out. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/07/29/stories/1060806249

Bernhardt #305: Example of how bad Bernhardt & William Pendley, his BLM guy are. He tried to help drill area sacred to Blackfeet Tribe. Zinke actually stopped this (shows again that Bernhardt is WORSE than Zinke) but Bernhardt dropped opposition. In this case as in Bears Ears & others, Bernhardt has totally ignored official Native Americans. See https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2019/07/26/stories/1060792811

Bernhardt #304: Senate Teddy Roosevelt Genius Grants want to use technology to decrease human-predator conflict. Well, Yellowstone is killing several bears due to following: (1) Humans leave food in areas which bears eat after they leave; (2) Other humans come to area & bears come for food & sometimes attack humans; (3) The bears are killed because Park officials state there are “No Areas left in park where they have opportunity to injure people or damage property” & surrounding states don’t want the bears. Will technology solve problem? No. Need to provide more protected areas including large buffers & remove people from the areas. This is what has been done in India with tigers. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/07/26/stories/1060792149

Bernhardt #303: Bernhardt is trying to rush thru a “management plan” to develop Bears Ears areas cut by him with input only from an “advisory committee” that has NO PROPONENTS of the monument & no representation of established Native Americans groups (they have 2 individuals who support monument cuts). It has lots of ranchers & pals of Utah Gov. Herbert—who wanted the monument slashed. They are trying to rush to begin destruction before Courts intervene—just as with ANWR. One more reason to impeach Bernhardt. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/07/26/stories/1060792303 & https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/stories/1060217961/

Bernhardt #301: Biggest Laugh of Year: Bernhardt touts accomplishments! Here are some: appointed opponent of Fed. lands to head BLM, trying to CUT FOIA & other accountability, trying to allow drilling near Grand Canyon, hiding plan for drilling ocean, trying to weaken ESA protections for wolves & hand over ESA top states, his other appointees are ALL tied to industry-none are conservationists, trying to build roads thru National wildlife refuges, pressured staffer to reverse position on lobbyist Arizona project & then hid it from calendar, zeroed out any Interior $ for LWCF program, continues to stonewall Congress refusing to produce documents & testimony by his employees, etc. etc. For details on these & dozens of other negative “accomplishments,” see Bernhardt laughable “touting accomplishments" at https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/07/25/stories/1060787719 & full the list of 300 documented misdeeds below.

Bernhardt #300: Bernhardt just appointed William Pendley who has dedicated his career to selling off Federal lands to states & private corps to head BLM! Greenwire reports that “In January 2016, Pendley authored an opinion article in the National Review in which he decried federal land ownership, and argued the U.S. Constitution all but requires the federal government to sell the lands it owns in the West. His appointment may be Good Politics for Democrats—Western states as in 2018 election have shown strong opposition to selling off Federal public lands & this appointment shows Bernhardt’s & Trump’s true colors. No pretense of conservation here! Both are phonies! See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/07/25/stories/1060787775

Bernhardt #299: Senate is considering Teddy Roosevelt “Genius Grant” to lessen conflicts between predators & humans. They are thinking of tools like stun guns & drones. Here’s another option: Increase the size of protected areas & put buffers around them. Bernhardt-Trump don’t want to obtain any new lands despite huge developments in areas around current protected areas that will ONLY get worse in the future. Technology will not solve this & their ideas show how bereft of imagination & knowledge of human-wildlife conflict they are. See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/07/25/stories/1060784977

Bernhardt #298: Bernhardt Opponents of Transparency: He just signed a secret agreement to build a road thru Izembek Refuge despite judge ruling that road would be illegal. He hid (and continues) to hide his calendars that show his illegal meetings with his lobby companies. He is trying to cut FOIA so that he doesn’t have to respond to inquiries about his anti-conservation handouts to energy industry. In short, he has been totally unresponsive & unaccountable to public & Congress. Time to get rid of this creep. See https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2019/07/24/stories/1060783877

Bernhardt #297: Senate wants to set up Teddy Roosevelt genius prize for ideas to save species. Here’s 2: Support FULL compensatory mitigation for destruction of habitat & protect migratory birds against “accidental” killing. Of course, Bernhardt & his Solicitor Jorjani harmed species by ending these conservation rules so we need to get rid of them. See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/06/10/stories/1060512335

Bernhardt #296: Bernhardt’s Interior trying to remove ESA protections for threatened species. Up till now, they had a blanket protection but Bernhardt wants to remove that. In addition, Bernhardt is trying to weaken ESA to meaningless statutes by allowing states to make the decisions. Protect species by impeaching Bernhardt. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/07/23/stories/1060778669

Bernhardt #294: Read article on how both EPA & Interior have prepared rules to block FOIA from revealing their activities UNLESS they pass their “political awareness” scrutiny. Fortunately, so far, there are even a few Republicans who don’t like this coverup. If allowed, Bernhardt will make it impossible to look at his detailed calendar & any contacts between him & his lobby friends. It’s outrageous but under Trump & Mitch McConnell, they may get away with it. See https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/23/climate/interior-department-freedom-of-information.html

Bernhardt #292: Bernhardt’s Interior just lost another case in which they tried to allow to put a road thru a National Wildlife Refuge. Once again shows that Bernhardt’s Interior has NO RESPECT for conservation—they want to use wildlife refuges for drilling (ANWR) & target shooting. But 99% of Americans want to use them to save (& watch) wildlife. One more case of Trump & minions like Bernhardt working for the 1%. See https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2019/07/22/stories/1060774913

Bernhardt #291: Bernhardt-Trump trying to build wall thru national monuments & wildlife refuges. This is another example of Trump-Bernhardt on conservation: They oppose it whenever it conflicts with energy & other industries, military, welfare ranchers, $ trophy hunters. Otherwise they are strong supporters of conservation! See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/07/22/stories/1060774061

Bernhardt #288: U.S. Senate wants to establish Teddy Roosevelt Genius Prize to “incentivize” wildlife conservation. I hope this genius will recommend that cuts in MONUMENTS (Monuments were Teddy's original idea!) be rescinded and also the plan to drill ANWR be abandoned (Teddy was FOR protected areas!)—the best 2 steps that could now taken to improve wildlife conservation. Actually, it doesn’t take a genius to figure this out! See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/07/22/stories/1060771561

Bernhardt #286: Oh, Oh, Davy!!! Major media finally is paying attention to your ethical misdeeds. Arizona papers & other media found details of how you pressured Interior staffer to remove environmental objections to Arizona development by big Trump donor. You met with the donor but the meeting DIDN’T SHOW ON YOUR CALENDAR! (Big Surprise!) Not only newspapers but media like the Rachel Maddow Show detailed your swampy unethical & illegal behavior. Let’s hope that this misdeed of yours finally ends your career. Of course, you & Donald can tell everyone what you have done for conservation (absolutely nothing but harm). See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/07/09/stories/1060717043

Bernhardt #284: Zinke announced move to West YEARS ago that will cost Interior $Millions but not to THIS day has anyone documented Savings or Improvement from the move! Now we find out the answer: It provides JOBS to western states (taken away from East) but still no benefits to Society! The ONLY argument they have made is that it will put more employees nearer their “STAKEHOLDERS” which in Bernhardt-Trump language means Energy Industry & Welfare Ranchers. Bernhardt believes that the rest of the country which contributes the vast majority of tax funds to support Interior should not have any SAY in how Interior-BLM operates. Time to get rid of this industry stooge. See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/07/16/stories/1060745083

Bernhardt #281: Another Terrible Hire: Bernhardt named William Pendley to head policy for BLM—he opposes Federal land management & wants to hand over public lands to industry & states. Like Budd-Falen (named to head Fish, Wildlife & Parks), he opposes purposes of agency he’s supposed to “serve.” If Trump should win reelection, Bernhardt & his crew will “divest” U.S. of public lands & conservation—that’s no exaggeration. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/07/15/stories/1060743503

Bernhardt #278: Trump can support conservation like he claims to: by signing bill to protect Grand Canyon from uranium mining. Certainly, he & Davy Bernhardt will have no problem demonstrating once again the high priority they give to conservation! See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/07/15/stories/1060740613

Bernhardt #277: Trump wants to claim conservation success? To compensate for all of his & Bernhardt destruction of the environment (see 276 items below for documentation!), Bernhardt & Trump should support House Bill to guarantee funding of Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Program out of INTERIOR funds. So far, Bernhardt-Trump won’t fund it directly—only if $ are from drilling public lands & waters. Donald & Davy: Put up the $ or shut up about conservation! See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/07/12/stories/1060730351

Bernhardt #275: Bernhardt’s FWS latest study showed that 95% of visits to National Wildlife REFUGE System were NONCONSUMPTIVE, only 5% by hunters! So why has Bernhardt ONLY activity on REFUGES been to allow more hunting?! Millions for trophy hunters, NADA for conservation. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/06/28/stories/1060668697

Bernhardt #274: Grijalva has asked for all docs & communs. from Bernhardt involving his pressure on Interior official to allow dev that will harm Lower San Pedro River Watershed as reported by 2 Arizona newspapers. Given his history of stonewalling Grijalva on previous requests, we can be sure those documents, will never be provided or, if so, it will be AFTER the next election! See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/07/09/stories/1060717043 When the hell is Bernhardt going to produce docs & employees to testify requested months ago? Impeach him!

Bernhardt #272: Bernhardt has 5 versions of his daily calendar! Why so many? Because he is trying to hide who he meets with! Read the CNN story & you cannot do anything but deduce this is a scoundrel trying to hide his tracks. Many of his entries are described vaguely like “external” (most likely energy industry lobbyist!). No wonder he won’t allow his employees to testify or provide the documents House Committee has demanded. He is one more corrupt Trump Cabinet member using his office for his friend’s interest—not the public interest. See https://www.cnn.com/2019/06/05/politics/david-bernhardt-conflicting-calendars-interior/index.html

Bernhardt #268: USFWS is setting standards for recovery to make it easier to delist species. Some in environmental say okay but what has USFWS under Bernhardt done to help endangered species? They are using this to delist species that interfere with energy industry. They cut funding for conservation, drill everywhere & not a peep from anyone in USFWS! Oil-Pesticide people are in control of the agency! See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/06/26/stories/1060659323

Bernhardt #265: Interior under Bernhardt pursues mining near Boundary Waters to help billionaire who rented Jared-Ivanka home at bargain rates! Trump-Bernhardt make Teapot Dome Scandal under Harding small potatoes! Swampier than ever under Trump-Bernhardt! See https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2019/06/25/stories/1060655531

Bernhardt #263: Bernhardt loses again in Federal Court! Conservationists successfully challenged water project. This is just another in a long string of decisions where the Courts have found that Bernhardt acted illegally & there will be lots more to come given his stonewalling on providing FOIA & other material requested by Congress & conservation groups. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/06/24/stories/1060650379

Bernhardt #262: Bernhardt’s Deputy Director ordered Stonewall Pride flag removed from the historic Stonewall Inn. Once again, Berhardt shows he knows how to pick the worst for his staff. We knew Bernhardt is a captive lackey of energy but now know he is captive of anti-gay Republicans too! See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/06/24/stories/1060650425

Bernhardt #261: Bernhardt keeps using visitor fees for operating expenses for 2 reasons: if Trump shuts down govt. again, he will use $ to keep parks open & pressure off of Trump; 2nd: he & Trump don’t want to spend $ on improving conservation—he will only spend $ made from drilling so Interior is dependent on energy industry for funding. It’s time to get rid of this lackey who is so harmful to Interior Dept. See https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2019/06/24/stories/1060651011

Bernhardt #259: Democrats are trying to reform leasing program by upping royalty rate (Republicans want to maximize profits of energy industry), eliminate anonymity of those nominating land for lease (Bernhardt is anti-transparency), require 45 days public notice (Bernhardt trying to cut time to speed leases to energy buddies). So we have a clear choice: Public Good of U.S. citizens vs. Profits of Energy Industry. Which do you think Bernhardt favors? Impeach him & immediately cut his salary until he provides docs. & employee testimony. See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/06/21/stories/1060638409

Bernhardt #258: Under Bernhardt National Wildlife Refuges are “Game Farms” Proof: Check out USFWS plans for opening new areas to shooting of Sandhill Cranes & other wildlife in the Washita National Wildlife Refuge. This publication reviews the purposes of national wildlife refuges—the #1 purpose is to “provide for conservation of fish, wildlife, and plants” but a much lower level purpose is “to provide opportunities for compatible wildlife-dependent recreational uses” so American public “can develop an appreciation for fish & wildlife.” Note also that public & scouts are prohibited from areas being hunted & special hunts provided for youngsters. See https://www.fws.gov/uploadedFiles/508%20Compliant%20Final%20Draft%20%20Washita%20EA_052719.pdf

Bernhardt #256: Under Bernhardt-Zinke, National Wildlife Refuges have changed into “Game Zones for Trophy Hunters!” Bernhardt’s only actions with respect to wildlife issues has been to increase ACCESS of hunters to killing them on refuges & public lands in general. Now it comes out that Zinke-Bernhardt have sent USFWS officers (who were already understaffed) to defend the BORDER rather than enforce regs. in National Refuges! Bernhardt’s trophy hunter friends are happy! See https://www.hcn.org/issues/51.11/borderlands-interior-department-border-deployments-are-mired-in-secrecy

Bernhardt #251: Bernhardt’s Version of Freedom of Information Act: Reduce time for public comment, give Republican politicos chance to delay or nix FOIA requests! By the way, time’s up for Interior to provide employee testimony & documents on Bernhardt’s illegal lobbying. Rep. Cummings cut his as well as employee salaries & begin impeachment hearings for this stonewalling creep! See https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2019/06/17/stories/1060613483

Bernhardt #250: Dems have bill to raise royalty rates and restore public comment periods for leasing of public lands. How could anyone oppose ensuring we get something from exploitation of public lands & adequate time for public comment? That’s right, David Bernhardt & his lobby friends will put their selfish interests first. Time for his impeachment! See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/06/18/stories/1060613091

Bernhardt #249: Trump’s trying to get rid of advisory committees because he doesn’t like those that use science to oppose his policies. But Bernhardt can use this despicable act to actually do good by getting rid of 2 Interior committees that have no legitimate purpose: International Wildlife Conservation Council.& Hunting and Shooting Sports Conservation Council, both blatant tools of trophy hunters! See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/06/17/stories/1060612379

Bernhardt #248: Fossil fuel companies were ordered by Courts to pay back royalties that Bernhardt lowered for them after reversing Obama rule. Davy can’t do TOO much for Industry and TOO little for conservation & U.S. citizens! Impeach the creep! See https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2019/06/14/stories/1060583141

Bernhardt #247: Bernhardt’s Incompetence: 60% of Interior top jobs are vacant & most don’t even have a nominee! Why? Only people Bernhardt trusts for position are unqualified industry lackeys who would not be approved by Senate w/o great difficulty! Impeach Bernhardt for incompetence! See https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2019/06/13/stories/1060572691

Bernhardt #246: Bernhardt’s Forest Service is using fighting wildfires in the West as excuse to loosen NEPA rules that protect forests. There is no area of Interior that is excused from Davy’s push to hand over public lands & forests to industry & lessen industry costs. See https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2019/06/13/stories/1060572709

Bernhardt #245: Bernhardt just nominated Karen Budd-Falen,a right-wing anti-public lands & anti-conservation property rights fanatic, to be temporary Asst. Sec. for FISH, WILDLIFE, and PARKS! The reason why? “She has lots of INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE!! What about having interest in preserving public lands and wildlife? No, for Bernhardt, that would be disqualifying! And Bernhardt’s PERMANENT nominee for this job???: Robert Wallace, for energy industry—he has a petroleum engineering degree degree & lobbied for years for energy industry. You can search Interior’s top personnel & NOT FIND ONE SINGLE PERSON with conservation credentials. Organizations that supported Bernhardt for Secretary like the Teddy Roosevelt Conservation Consortium should take back their support for this industry creep! See https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2019/06/13/stories/1060572869

Bernhardt #244: Bernhardt just appointed Karen Budd-Falen as Acting Asst. Sec.f or Fish, Wildlife and Parks. She has a huge record—of opposing USFWS & other Interior agencies when they interfere with industry/ ranchers. How bad is she? She is the anti-thesis of everything Interior stands for! Another example of Trump-Bernhardt personnel policy: Appoint someone who hates the function they are supposed to serve (i.e., conservation) and they will take care of it! See https://departmentofinfluence.org/person/karen-budd-falen/

Bernhardt #243: Bernhart-Susan Combs (Asst Secretary for Policy) approach to preserving Species: let industry police themselves! (1) Participation is voluntary, (2) landowners not required to adopt specific measures to save species, (3) USFWS NOT ALLOWED to see state’s agreements with landowners, making the agreements enforceable or even verifiable! No wonder industry loves Combs’ (who is a rancher) approach to saving species! Yet this is the approach supported by a West Texas judge! See Tresaugue, Matthew. (2015). “Tiny lizard at center of big fight in the oil patch.” Houston Chronicle, February 19. Accessed 3/19/15 from http://www.mrt.com/news/article_1b412efc-b8a7-11e4-86ef-df1fa67f0cae.html & https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2019/06/12/stories/1060562377

Bernhardt #242: “South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) praised Bernhardt for his availability to state officials, noting the secretary distributed his personal cellphone #” Does she know that Bernhardt calls the Energy Industry every day for their instructions on what to do! See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/06/11/stories/1060550549

Bernhardt #241: Bernhardt just said “I think that we're very open, this administration.” Right! That’s why you had your meeting schedules quickly deleted & are trying to cut FOIA & reduce time for public comments, refusing to provide employees for testimony o r key documents. You are such a phony! Check out photo of pudgy moon-faced mighty trophy hunter Bernhardt at https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/06/11/stories/1060550549

Bernhardt #238: House Dems provide SHALL to Bernhardt: Bernhardt doesn’t believe in doing anything about conservation or climate change unless he has a law that clearly says HE SHALL do it! So Dem (Rep. Lowenthal of Cal.) has bill to require that corps that “accidentally kill migratory birds” pay for the damage. Bernhardt & his solicitor, Jorjani, don’t believe in charging corps. for damage to species & lands—hence doing away with compensatory mitigation. Let’s hope that Congress will provide the SHALL to these corporate lackeys! See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/06/10/stories/1060512335

Bernhardt #237: Which way Bernhardt on Gray Wolves: Best Available Science of Best Politics! USFWS’s panel of scientists derided their proposal to remove protections. But will science impact Bernhardt—his ONLY supporters for becoming Secretary were trophy hunter groups & energy industry! See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/06/07/stories/1060510273

Bernhardt #236: Democratic Senators Shame: Following Senators voted to confirm Combs as Interior Asst Sec. for policy even though both in Texas & Interior she has totally opposed ESA& given energy companies right to do what they want with endangered species: Cantwell, Manchin, Sinema, & King. Let’s hope that these senators are challenged in their next election primaries by someone who cares about wildlife & conservation. See https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2019/06/05/stories/1060491353

Bernhardt #235: Bernhardt’s attempt to allow grazing by arsonists, the Hammonds, ruled illegal. Once again Courts show how Bernhardt’s Interior ignores legal rules. Just as with his ocean drilling plan (that he’s AFRAID TO SHOW), the Courts reveal he is INCOMPETENT & should be impeached. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/06/05/stories/1060490063

Bernhardt #233: The recent UN Report on Mass Extinctions got a more positive reception from Congress by House Science Committee. Will Bernhardt’s Interior such as the politicos who now run USFWS comment on the report? Not likely, they don’t speak think science, hear science, speak science! The only “science” they believe is from Energy Industry & Donald Trump! See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/06/05/stories/1060482093

Bernhardt #232: Interior's Press Secretary Vander Voort heads to Trump campaign, having lied for Bernhardt, she will now lie for Donald. Her replacement? Molly Block who qualified by working for FOX News & anti-ESA Rep. Rob Bishop. Nothing but the Worst & Anti-Conservation Specialists for Davy! See https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2019/06/04/stories/1060481355

Bernhardt #231: Bernhardt’s BLM just lost case over fracking near Chaco region—they totally ignored impact on water use and supply! What can you say? He regularly loses cases in courts that prove his all out rush to hand over lands & oceans to energy companies is ridden with violations of environmental law but he doesn’t give ONE SINGLE DAMN. His just issues his pudgy, moon-faced smile & dares tribes, communities, and environmentalists to sue. Impeach the creep! See #231 https://www.hcn.org/articles/water-court-throws-book-at-blm-over-fracking-chaco?utm_source=wcn1&utm_medium=email

Bernhardt #230: Bernhardt’s Interior ignored tribal input on mining near Cheyenne reservation—says he is not “obligated to consult with tribal nations.” He has cut comment period to 15 days & is trying to rush coal mine through! And he just recently denied ignoring them! Read the details at #230 https://www.wildlifepolitics.org/blog

Bernhardt #229: Bernhardt’s on Wildlife: Do what Ranchers-Trophy Hunters want & then try to justify it! Scientists ripped apart his proposed delisting of wolves. Bernhardt’s “method:” “Read No Science, Hear No Science, Speak No Science” approach to “conservation.” See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/06/03/stories/1060468609

Bernhardt #228: Bernhardt’s nominee to be Asst Sec for Fish, Wildlife, and Parks: Qualifications? He’s a trained PETROLEUM ENGINEER who has spent his career working for GE Energy firm! Did they think about hiring a CONSERVATION PROFESSIONAL? No, such a person would be totally out of step with the Energy Dominance fixation of current USFWS. What’s more: Senate appears likely to confirm Susan Combs as Asst Sec Policy for Interior. She’s famous as Comptroller of Texas who tried to kill ESA & allowed energy companies to monitor themselves! It’s all part of Bernhardt’s effort to ensure that ALL TOP STAFF are Energy Company lackeys like himself! See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/06/03/stories/1060443407Tresaugue, Matthew. (2015). “Tiny lizard at center of big fight in the oil patch.” Houston Chronicle, February 19. Accessed 3/19/15 from http://www.mrt.com/news/article_1b412efc-b8a7-11e4-86ef-df1fa67f0cae.html

Bernhardt #222: Bernhardt’s Forest Service diverts $ from plant trees & fighting bugs to fighting fires. Rather than ask for more $ to fight fires, Bernhardt diverts $ away from conservation. This is not new. He has systematically cut funds for conservation programs to help energy drill & aid welfare ranchers & trophy hunters. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/05/30/stories/1060433569

Bernhardt #219: Bernhardt’s BLM fires whistleblower who tried to enforce rules on illegal grazing that has been ignored by agency. GAO reported on this in 2016 including details on how public grazing loses $ subsidizing small # of mostly wealthy permittees. BLM’s excuse for firing him: he was unable to find his employee ID badge for 5 minutes! BLM under Bernhardt no longer a professional agency—it works for energy & welfare rancher industries. See https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2019/05/29/stories/1060426153 for story on firing &https://www.gao.gov/assets/680/678292.pdf for full GAO report on illegal grazing.

Bernhardt #217: NOAA in Dept of Commerce plans to allow Corps. To injure bowhead whales & other mammals in order to drill waters in Arctic. Bernhardt’s USFWS also gave permission to harm polar bears, whales, & seals. Once shows that Trump-Ross-Bernhardt don’t give a damn about whales or other wildlife. See https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2019/05/28/stories/1060417523

Bernhardt #216: Bernhardt-Republicans on how to fight Wildfires: Build Roads through wilderness & have cows graze the land! Bernhardt’s BLM actually gave permits to arsonists arguing their cows would reduce change of fire! Utah wants to build roads through roadless wilderness areas arguing that they need roads to remove dead trees but 90 percent of Utah fires were not in roadless areas & evidence shows that roads INCREASE the chances of wildfires due to human causes. See https://www.hcn.org/articles/public-lands-utah-asks-federal-government-for-exemption-from-forest-service-roadless-rule

Bernhardt #215: More Bernhardt Incompetence! Bernhardt cut Forest Service’s Budget & Bark Beetle program by 25%. He says he has to do it because White House told him to. He doesn’t defend Interior programs. Even Murkowski rejects his proposal. Why the hell did Republicans in Congress approve him as Secretary when they reject HIS BUDGET every year & he has shown no interest or ability to convince WH to fund programs as they should be. Impeach the incompetent Bernhardt. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/05/24/stories/1060391113

Bernhardt #215: Bernhardt-Trump: How to fight fire: Pardon arsonists & have them graze public lands with cattle! Trump pardoned Hammonds convicted of arson & BLM is allowing them to graze to reduce chances of fire! Actually, MUCH RESEARCH (including BLM own publications such as 1994 Rangeland Reform) prove that cattle grazing does just the opposite by spreading invasive weeks, destructing native plants, compacts soil, drying it out & causing erosion, and disrupts aquatic systems. In other words, one more BIG LIE by Trump-Bernhardt, proving BLM like USFWS has now become an anti-science agency & lackey of cattle as well as energy industry. For detailed support, see BLM environmental impact statement at https://archive.org/stream/rangelandreform25unit/rangelandreform25unit_djvu.txt & Debra Donahue, Western Grazing: The Capture ofGrass, Ground, and Government, 35 Envtl. L. 721(2005) 721-806. & pardon info at: Fire-starting ranchers get a new blessing from BLM https://www.hcn.org/issues/51.9/public-lands-fire-starting-ranchers-grazing-public-lands-again

Bernhardt #214: Bernhardt is Incompetent! Zinke was a buffoon but supposedly smart Bernhardt ignored law that prohibited studies on oil-gas drilling that he allowed. Interior's budget has provision that says that "it cannot use any taxpayer money to conduct pre-leasing studies on lands contained in monuments as they existed on Jan. 20, 2001." This was violated by Bernhardt's in preparing to cut monuments. Sen. Udall said this use was a violation of appropriations laws. Bernhardt’s response: “I don’t think it is” but “Roger!” He will probably come back with the answer about the same time that he reveals ocean drilling plan! Impeach Bernhardt! See https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2019/05/22/did-interior-break-law/

Bernhardt #213: BLM has been ordered by judge to review their plan to end Obama moratorium on coal leasing but they want to do “internal review” (i.e., so energy dominance lackeys will find in favor of ending it) while they should do a full NEPA environmental impact statement. As usual, no concern in Bernhardt Admin. for conservation. Impeach him! See https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2019/05/23/stories/1060386227

Bernhardt #212: Bernhardt uses fees from National park visitors for daily expenses rather than for future projects & maintenance! Why? Will help to keep parks open when Trump shuts down government & part of plan to eliminate Congressional funding of Interior except for funds from energy leasing & visitor fees. One more reason why Bernhardt should be impeached! See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/05/23/stories/1060385493

Bernhardt #211: Read about Bernhardt squirming in meeting with Senators on Reorg., Climate Change, and FOIA! On his FOIA proposal to disallow “burdensome” searches” he is considering whether to scrap, keep, or modify it! Impeach this slimy doubletalker! See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/05/22/stories/1060379529

​Bernhardt #210: Rep. Grijalva introduced legis. To protect species following UN Report on threats. Bernhardt’s USFWS director, Aurelia Skipwith, who trained with Monsanto (as did Bernhardt’s Deputy Director) are silent on extinction crisis. USFWS, like the rest of Interior, is now devoted to Energy Dominance & threats to species no longer concerns them. See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/05/23/stories/1060380657

Bernhardt #201: Bernhardt wants transparency—for environmental organizations at the same time that he REFUSES to release documents on his ethical misdeeds & testimony by Interior employees about them. Once again & always, he’s hypocrite. & Jorjani, his Interior lawyer, who weakened Intl. Treaty on Bird Migration, does his bidding. See https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2019/05/17/stories/1060351121& # 190 below for his stonewalling. & following for demand for transparency from evmntal orgs: https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2019/05/17/stories/1060351083​Bernhardt #200: Bernhardt says he wants to have new grant oversight “to reduce fraud.” Well, start with himself!: Here is What Bernhardt-Zinke have done: “The Interior Department will now funnel certain grants through a political screening intended to ensure the federal dollars "better align" with the administration's "priorities," according to a newly revealed memo. The move invests considerable power in a senior Interior Department adviser named Steve Howke, who will be reviewing grants including those above $50,000 for universities, land acquisition purposes and nonprofits that can engage in advocacy.” Howke is a political hack! See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2018/01/09/stories/1060070507

Bernhardt #198: USFWS received 900,000 comments opposing removal of gray wolf Federal protections proposed by Bernhardt. However, Bernhardt does not listen to “public comments” no matter how large and overwhelming but follows the advise of those who “matter:” ranchers, trophy hunters, and Republican western state politicians who hate wolves & have been consistently trying to remove protections. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/05/16/stories/1060344505

Bernhardt #195: Bipartisan Congress wants to provide repair $ for Nat. Park Service—they say “it should be a no brainer.” But Bernhardt provides doubletalk instead—he wants to provide help “in some significant way!” but not from his own budget. He wants to take the money from either energy companies drilling public lands and/or fees for entering the parks. He wants to minimize the cost of Interior’s non-energy programs that have little or no priority. The goal is to make Interior funding mostly dependent on oil-gas-coal-drilling & mining. See https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2019/05/15/stories/1060339225

Bernhardt #194: Bernhardt’s nominee for Solicitor approved mining near Boundary Waters. He said he did “not have the right to block it.” This is same lackey who found good reasons to weaken Intl Migratory Bird Treaty so that corps. Would not be responsible for “incidental killing of birds.” Jorjani, like ALL of Bernhardt’s appointees, is a former energy (Koch brothers in this case) employee. See https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2019/05/15/stories/1060339457

Bernhardt #193: Bernhardt on offshore drilling: He can’t provide the plan—the only thing he can guarantee is that no plan will be released before Nov 2020 that will hurt Trump’s reelection. Once election over, drilling everywhere will commence. See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/05/16/stories/1060340251

Bernhardt #192: Bernhardt often talks about “talking with Native Americans” but almost none of the tribes says they were consulted on decisions affecting them—unless it was after the decision had already been made & done merely for “appearances.” They should understand that Bernhardt only consults with the energy industry & its lackey politicos in western states. Once again, Bernhardt proves he is a phony & liar. See https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2019/05/15/stories/1060339113

Bernhardt # 191: Bernhardt officially states that BLM is not dedicated to Conservation. His BLM removed conservation language that said purpose was to “sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands…” from its mission statement! Bernhardt honestly would like to reword it as follows: BLM’s Mission is to do everything possible to achieve energy dominance & will try to help trophy hunters & welfare ranchers as long as they don’t interfere with dominance.” See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/05/15/stories/1060338603

Bernhardt #190: Bernhardt appeared before Committee with “Honorable” sign in front of his name—should have said “Despicable”! He cut funds for LWCF program that has strong bipartisan support but no support by Davy—best he could do: he would “spend them” if appropriated! He talks about ethics programs but refuses to provide documents, wants to cut FOIA, & will not provide Interior officials to testify or give them his documents on his transgressions. What more does this lackey have to do to be sanctioned by Congress? See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/05/15/stories/1060338525

Bernhardt #189: Bernhardt’s BLM & Forest Service said bills to protect Ruby Mountains in Nevada & Chaco Cultural Park in New Mexico “unnecessary” because will not lease these areas! Davy ONLY cares about energy dominance & that’s why protection of these lands is ABSOLUTELY necessary to stop his energy friends from drilling them. See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/05/15/stories/1060335143

Bernhardt #188: Bernhardt is GUILTY! Without providing any justification, Bernhardt has refused to have Interior officials testify about his alleged ethical transgressions & also has refused to provide documentation about these incidents. Why? What else, the pudgy little Energy lackey is guilty and he should resign immediately or be impeached. Congress should no longer put up with stonewalling by this creep. Impeach Bernhardt!

Bernhardt #187: Democratic House bill would boost spending for LWCF and conservation funding by Interior Dept. Remember how Bernhardt boasted about LWCF bill passed by Congress (which he NEVER proposed or supported!)? Here’s a chance for Davy to show he stands up for conservation! Actually, Bernhardt has proposed cuts for all Interior conservation-related programs. See https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2019/05/14/stories/1060333577

Bernhardt #186: Bill to destroy ESA in Congress: Texas Sen. Cornyn has introduced a bill that would give veto power of ESA court settlements to counties & states. Background: USFWS has never conformed with preserving species & has had to be prodded by courts to get them to save wildlife. This bill would destroy ability of courts to force USFWS to comply & thus undermine ESA & destroy species that dominant politicos dislike because they claim interfere with development or hunting. Irony is that majorities in all of these anti-ESA states APPROVE of ESA & MORE protections for endangered species. But this bill is just what Bernhardt is looking for—more giveaways to industry & trophy hunters. Impeach Bernhardt! See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/05/14/stories/1060332645

Bernhardt #185: Bernhardt believes in state wildlife management—unless it interferes with energy dominance! After Wyoming & other states had worked hard to forge a compromise agreement to preserve sage grouse, Bernhardt-Zinke are leasing core area habitat for oil-gas in the Golden Triangle of sage grouse habitat & loosened rules on mitigation for lost habitat—banishing it to remote areas far from the Triangle. Even the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation org. that supported Bernhardt for Secretary object to this destruction of Triangle & poor mitigation. Shows once again that Bernhardt doesn’t give a damn about major function of Interior, conservation, & should be impeached for this & many other reasons listed below. See https://www.wyofile.com/gordon-poised-to-put-his-stamp-on-sage-grouse-plan/

Bernhardt #184: Bernhardt’s “Chief Congressional Aide” Rojewski said it was “shocking” and “Strange” that House Democrats should require that documents & testimony should be provided by Interior employees. What? It is the RESPONSIBILITY of Congress to investigate possible ethics breaches & there is plenty of evidence to suggest Bernhardt violated them. Bernhardt wants a “accommodation process”—what the hell is that? Does that mean that Bernhardt is not subject to the CONSTITUTIONAL authority of Congressional oversight?! It’s time to cut both Bernhardt and Rojewski’s salaries from Interior’s budget—they are violating the Constitution & do not deserve their jobs. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/05/13/stories/1060326835

Bernhardt #183: Dems should ream Bernhardt who has been stonewalling Dems—refusing to provide Interior employees or records. Bernhardt thinks he is a Tyrant-tough guy using “executive privilege” to refuse requests. It’s time to show this lackey who’s boss. Indeed, it’s time to impeach him—not only for this but refusal to release oil drilling plan, trying to cut FOIA, ethics abuses, & total ignoring of conservation. See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/05/13/stories/1060310279Plus the 182 reasons below!

Bernhardt #182: Bernhardt: Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire: Bernhardt doesn’t have the ocean drilling plan ready for inspection but he continues to carry out seismic testing???!!!. More lies from Bernhardt. When will the plan be ready? Not until after Nov. 2020 election or possibly before if they are only going to drill off states Trump won’t try to win. And once again shows how Bernhardt, the mighty trophy hunter is an utter coward. See https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2019/05/10/stories/1060309879

Bernhardt #179: Bernhardt Interior Temps Make Policy forever: Article shows how though there is a Federal Vacancies Reform Act law that prohibits temporary officials from making decisions for more than short time, it has been TOTALLY ignored by Bernhardt’s Interior Dept. The law states that any decision made after 300 days of temp. should “have no force or effect & can be challenged in court.” Interior’s “spokesperson” (i.e., official liar) provided the following double-talk defense of illegal use of temps: “However, recognizing the practical difficulty of this, the VRA permits a department head to delegate to a subordinate the authorities and duties of such an office that are not otherwise required by law to be performed exclusively by the official who would inhabit such an office." See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/05/09/stories/1060297171

Bernhardt #178: Bernhardt vs. Science: Interior David Bernhardt personally intervened to block the release of USFWS report that found 2 widely used pesticides harmed >1200 species-boon to pesticide industry. Bernhardt’s appointed Deputy Secretary who is a former Monsanto employee. One last time: When will Interior hire anyone who is not a lackey of a polluting wildlife-killing industry? Not until there ‘s a new presidential Administration! See https://psmag.com/environment/the-trump-administrations-policies-are-fueling-the-extinction-crisis

Bernhardt #177: Bernhardt made one of tiny # of “conservation moves” by promising grants for restoration of coastal wetlands. Note $ are not from Interior’s own budget but Excise taxes. Need for restoration will be HUGE after Bernhardt drills 90 percent of Continental Shelf as he has promised. See https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2019/05/08/stories/1060298095

Bernhardt #176: Bernhardt’s doubletalk #1: In his recent appearance, he “took offense at a congressman’s charge that he was at Interior to “do energy industry’s bidding.” Refutation: Energy industry’s are “giddy” about all that Interior is doing for them & fact that ALL of his top staff are from industry. See #101 below & https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/05/08/stories/1060294015

Bernhardt Doubletalk #3: Bernhardt hasn’t provided any plan or justification for Reorganization & still refuses to do so. Solution: Make Interior give back the $14 million they received for 2019 spending on it & give them the $28 Million they requested for FY 2020. (Note: Transfer the money to conservation-related spending which Bernhardt has cut at every opportunity.) https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/05/08/stories/1060294015

Bernhardt Doubletalk #4: Problem: Bernhardt still can’t provide an offshore drilling plan even though he has decided to drill 90% of the Continental Shelf & has had staff working overtime even during the shutdown for permits for preparing for this drilling. Solution: Don’t provide any $ in budget for drilling or sonar testing for drilling. See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/05/08/stories/1060294015

Bernhardt #174: Bernhardt to cover BLM lands with Cows to fight wildfires! BLM will EXPAND grazing area for convicted arsonists & welfare ranchers, the Hammonds, supposedly to fight fires! Actually, grazing cows damage riparian areas & deplete water sources, helping to cause wildfires. (See Lynn Jacobs, Waste of the West, 1991, p.54). So a bizarre new excuse for Bernhardt-Trump to give more public land to UNPRODUCTIVE grazing that only exists due to Federal support. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/05/07/stories/1060291307​Bernhardt #173: Bernhardt to Congress & FOIA: “Go to hell!” Bernhardt has refused to have 4 Interior officials testify about his move to cut FOIA & instead of producing documents requested, offered 27,000 pages of UNREQUESTED materials! So, opaque Bernhardt refuses to produce info on his move to cut FOIA! He should be impeached. See https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2019/05/07/stories/1060291955

Bernhardt #172: Bernhardt Determined to Kill Species: The UN Report tells of how habitat destruction is leading to “unprecedented species loss” and the main cause are spread of agriculture and disruption of marine environments. Main solution: set aside marine and land areas for the “benefit of plants and animals with exploitation banned or severely limited.” Bernhardt-Trump: They could care less about species loss—Bernhardt leading effort to weaken Endangered Species Act & are cutting monuments and exploiting public lands and want to drill our oceans. In other words, they are LEADING efforts to destroy species and biodiversity. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/05/06/stories/1060285071

Bernhardt #171: Bernhardt claims that he is “very different” from Zinke??! He continues to have energy dominance as major priority, kept Interior open to make permits for public land & ocean drilling, hires all industry employees as staff, loosens restrictions on ocean drilling, keeps the Safari Club “Intl Wildlife Council,” etc. etc. —yes, he’s different—he’s even WORSE than Zinke! See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/05/06/stories/1060285393

Bernhardt #170: Bernhardt-Trump want to loosen regulations on offshore drillers but a recent report by USGAO shows that existing oversight of oil and gas is totally inadequate. GAO found that Bureau of Ocean Energy, Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) responsible for safety “did not have the capability for analyzing incidents that occur on the Outer Continental Shelf and has reversed its oversight of operator compliance with environmental standards”—weakening it! It has “staffing shortfalls that prevent it from environmental oversight”! It has made no “progress in addressing long-standing deficiencies.” This report shows that Bernhardt is either a totally incompetent administrator or doesn’t give a damn about dangers from oil-gas drilling (or more likely, both are true!) See the report at https://www.gao.gov/assets/690/683868.pdf

Bernhardt #169: Who should head Fish, Wildlife & National Park Service? Bernhardt names long-time lobbyist, Robert Wallace, for energy industry—he has a petroleum engineering degree degree & lobbied for years for energy industry! He will maintain what Bernhardt considers the proper “balance” in Interior—that is prioritizing energy dominance over anything else that interferes with it. One would think that some day by chance Bernhardt would hire somebody who prioritizes conservation but Davy proves once again he is a total oil-gas lackey. See https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2019/05/03/stories/1060268745

​Bernhardt #168: Bernhardt awards Millions $ grants for “big-game corridors.” The only “conservation” (a misnomer for many of these) orgs. that supported Bernhardt were big game hunters like Rocky Mountain Elk Fdtn. & Boone & Crockett. He’s paying them back by giving them grants. Nothing but cuts for non-game species—Bernhardt wants to weaken End. Species Act esp. for predators like wolves that compete with big game hunters. This is what Bernhardt calls a “balanced” approach—this pudgy moon-faced trophy hunter doesn’t just favor oil-gas industry but also big game hunters. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/05/03/stories/1060267999

Bernhardt #167: Bernhardt’s USFWS which used to be a professionally led org. dedicated to conservation now once again has reversed policy & approved a permit for an Arizona San Pedro River-Sonoran Desert project that would harm jaguars and rare birds & had previously been rejected by Obama’s professional Interior staff. High Country News has an article which details the doubletalk used by Bernhardt’s BLM staff to try (and fail) to justify the turnaround. There are apparently no professionals left in USFWS who are willing to speak for conservation. Their proposed new leader is a former Monsanto lackey. See https://www.hcn.org/issues/50.1/fish-and-wildlife-service-retracts-its-concerns-about-a-massive-arizona-housing-proposal?utm_source=wcn1&utm_medium=email

Bernhardt #166: Former BLM employees say that state officials already have the delegated authority to make decisions at state level—Thus No benefit & no excuse for spending millions on Bernhardt's phony reorganization. Wasteful & only purpose is political. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/05/02/stories/1060259959

Bernhardt #159: Interior to downlist species despite science showing threatened. Doug Domenech & Susan Combs, both top officials but formerly with Texas Public Policy Fdtn. that opposes End. Species Act & protections for the species. The protections “delay or restrict” oil-gas dev., the only priority that Bernhardt Interior cares about. See details at https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/05/01/stories/1060252887​ Bernhardt #158: Reorganization of Interior: They admit there “no quantifiable benefits”—only excuse is “closer proximity to stakeholders!” Who are stakeholders of national parks, monuments, & wildlife refuges? U.S. public—not tiny group of politicos heading western states & their industry friends! Bernhardt commissioned “3 assessments” that MAY be available in September—Note: They will be available AFTER Interior tries to get $ spent on it & ONLY if they are positive. See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/05/01/stories/1060248175

Bernhardt #156: House NR Committee Grijalva is trying to get Bernhardt to testify before the committee—Davy refused two previous requests! Davy doesn’t want to answer tough questions like his drilling plan for coastal U.S. & his justification for spending big bucks on reorg. After all, he has made energy industry so happy they are laughing—what more does he need to do? See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/04/30/stories/1060242951

Bernhardt #155: Bernhardt is going to have to replace Brian Steed, BLM’s top official, who left to head Utah’s Dept. Nat. Res. Steed is famous for paper that argues “conservation can negatively affect communities.” Utah’s Farm Bureau praised him for being “very accommodating.” Great fit with Utah politicos who loved taking back land from monuments. Bernhardt will assiduously find someone who is accommodating to industry as Steed. Major qualification: No interest whatsoever in conservation! See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/04/30/stories/1060247011​Bernhardt #154: Bernhardt provides B_____T to FOIA! Not only has Bernhardt failed to provide documents to justify Grand-Escalante Monument but the pages provided have tons of same documents “repeated many times” to make it look like they are providing a lot. Who’s surprised that Opaque Bernhardt is unresponsive to FOIA—he wants to cut it! The only ones he “accounts to” are his buddies in the energy industry. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/04/29/stories/1060241119​Bernhardt #153: Bernhardt wants to spend BIG dollars on moving to western states but can’t provide justification. While he cuts dollars for conservation, he wants to spend big buck on reorg. With no purpose other than turn over public lands to western states & industry to do as they please. See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/04/29/stories/1060235909

Bernhardt #145: Bernhardt once again shows he believes in public input—if it’s by energy-welfare rancher industries. His New Advisory Committee for Bears Ears is loaded with people who welcomed cutback & lacking in conservationists & Native Americans who make up the majority in the area. For details on this outrage, see https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/04/25/stories/1060217961

Bernhardt #144: Bernhardt may be dragged kicking & screaming into protection of giraffes? Trophy hunter Davy who just bragged about action on trafficking has had to be sued by environmentalists to protect endangered giraffes. His intl. wildlife council made up of Safari Club types will not be happy! See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/04/25/stories/1060217683​Bernhardt #143: Mr. Non-Transparency Davy Bernhardt doesn't want to provide information on one of his former clients, Garrison Diversion District, about his violation of ethics. His defense: Interior had already cleared him on this! Let’s see the record & let us, not his energy lackey appointees, judge! See https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2019/04/24/stories/1060212773

Bernhardt #141: Congress confirms Bernhardt & then Inspector General looks into his unethical deeds for lobbyists by him & 6 other staff! Makes sense, doesn’t it? Why put off confirmation of someone when he can continue to do more favors for his former lobby partners! This is Bernhardt’s plan to revise ethics for the dept: Have inappropriate meetings to test surveillance capabilities of IG! See https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2019/04/23/stories/1060206845

Bernhardt #139: Bernhardt & Decline in Wolf Numbers: Recent reports show that wolf numbers in Yellowstone Park are down to less than half their peak mark in the park. This poses a threat because Bernhardt wants to cut ESA protections & hand over decisions to states—many of whom want to keep MINIMUM # required to avoid relisting and are aching to increase wolf takes to reduce competition for big game & just because of plain hatred of this species. See Bernhardt #90 below for documentation of this point. With weakening of ESA protections & handover to states, wolves are threatened by Bernhardt—a trophy hunter who views wolves as competitor. The dominance of trophy hunters in Bernhardt’s Interior is anomalous because the vast majority of public especially those who visit Yellowstone & other western parks & refuges, want to see Live Wolves! It’s time for Congress to step in & question Davy about protecting species like wolves. See http://www.powelltribune.com/stories/wolf-numbers-in-yellowstone-park-decline,18572

Bernhardt #138: The only protections against Bernhardt-Trump & environment disaster are Federal judges and science. There have been some important rulings against them concerning moratorium on coal mining on public lands and oil-gas drilling in Arctic. However, these wins are fragile—Trump is nominating & McConnell’s Senate are confirming judges who will be more than happy to sacrifice public lands & oceans to energy industry. See https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/19/climate/court-trump-coal-mining-setback.html

​Bernhardt #135: Bernhardt, Master of Delaying Politically Sensitive Reports! Recently released emails show that Zinke Interior officials considered delaying report on monument over fear that it could undermine Trump cutbacks but some staff insisted on releasing report anyway. By way of contrast, Bernhardt’s has successfully resisted releasing his ocean drilling report because it could have threatened his confirmation since even Republican states are opposed to the drilling. Bernhardt once again proves he’s the master of sneaky, underhanded politics. It should shame senators who voted for this phony. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/04/19/stories/1060183169

Bernhardt #134: Bernhardt’s BLM “fights wildfires” by allowing convicted arsonists, the Hammonds, to ranch on Malheur National Wildlife Refuge! The claim to use welfare ranching to fight fire is ridiculous. U.S. GAO studies proved that the quality of public rangelands has been terribly harmed, not helped, by ranching. BLM now trying to use fear of wildfires to push for more ranching on public lands, reversing attempts to improve quality of habitat! See https://www.gao.gov/products/CED-77-88https://www.gao.gov/assets/140/138981.pdf For full documentation of the harmful effects of public lands ranching, See book by Lynn Jacobs. (1991). Waste of the West

Bernhardt #133: Bernhard’s all out energy dominance fixation means that protection of sacred sites such as near the Chaco Culture National Park must be sacrificed to his energy industry friends. Other than small attempts to help trophy hunters, conservation has vanished as priority. See https://www.denverpost.com/2019/04/13/oil-gas-development-chaco-culture-national-park/​Bernhardt #132: Bernhardt has cut the budget of all of the conservation-related agencies in Interior & shown total indifference to protecting species such as USFWS ignoring protection of threatened species. He is ignoring the “backlog” in species listings—the only delays that Bernhardt cares about are delays in allowing the energy industry to exploit public lands & oceans. See https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2019/04/17/stories/1060174891

Bernhardt #131: Bernhardt, supposed smart administrator has 8 “quasi-officials” in charges of its bureaus that manage more than 450 million acres of public lands! Interior is in this dubious position because Bernhardt appoints unqualified people who will have trouble getting Senate approval—one more reason why his confirmation was a HUGE mistake. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/04/17/stories/1060174219​Bernhardt 130: Trump brags about lifting ban near Boundary Waters: Bernhardt’s Forest Service halted study of mining ban so mining can go forward. This is the guy that Whit Fosburgh of Teddy Roosevelt Conservation Consortium (& others like Ducks Unlimited) supported. Great choice—if you prefer Energy Dominance to Conservation. https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/04/16/stories/1060169863

Bernhardt #129: Wyoming seeks to have THE PRIMARY role in National Environmental Act reviews! This is in accordance with Bernhardt’s vision for Interior—turn over decisions to states. Wyoming’s decisionmaking is dominated by state lawmakers who are ranchers like Albert Sommers whose cattle graze on Federal lands. Guess what priorities he's going to put first when it’s a question of his cattle versus wildlife like grizzlies or wolves? He’s angry that his plans to graze on Federal lands belonging to ALL Americans have been "hobbled"! See https://www.wyofile.com/experts-question-wyo-quest-to-run-feds-environmental-reviews/​Bernhardt #128: Bernhardt’s Defense: His involvement in Westlands project involved interests of larger group—not just Westlands! Does this make sense? So, he can help Westlands as long as its bad effects are broad?! This is the guy redoing Interior Ethics! See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/04/16/stories/1060169731

Bernhardt #127: IG NOW opens Bernhardt investigation AFTER he already has been confirmed! Demonstrates Idiocy of Senate confirmation demonstrated—confirm before inquiry & before Ocean drilling! Shame to Senators who confirmed this industry lackey. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/04/16/stories/1060169731

Bernhardt #126: The detailed-oriented Bernhardt says he wasn’t aware of meetings on Migratory Bird Treaty between Interior officials & Intl Petroleum Asso. that cut protections for birds until "he read about it in the news"! One more reason why he should not have been confirmed—it would suggest he is incompetent, though of course, no one really believes this liar about this statement. Furthermore, he’s looking for “technology” to solve Interior’s ethics problems! The MAJOR ethical problem is that Bernhardt & all the others making decisions are all past employees/lobbyists for the industry. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/04/15/stories/1060165373

Bernhardt #125: Bernhardt’s looking for an “ethics app” to help with ethical problems in Interior!!! Here is the algorithm for app that Interior needs: Hire somebody who has not been employed by the Energy or Rancher industries. Would make for huge improvement in the quality of its staff and its decisionmaking! See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/04/12/stories/1060155917

Bernhardt #124: Dems are trying to provide more money for FOIA “transparency.”!!! Don’t they know that Bernhardt abhors transparency?! Wonder what the Opaque Davy Bernhardt will do with this money? Probably use it for travel to his former lobby partners but hide this use describing it vaguely as “internal” or “external” activity! See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/04/12/stories/1060154807

Bernhardt #123: Bernhardt officially becomes Worst Secretary of Interior Ever. Previously, Ryan Zinke held this dishonor with 224 documented reasons why he was the worst. But Bernhardt was Zinke’s Deputy & thus major “accomplisher” of this misdeeds & since he has been serving as temp, he accumulated 122 Documented actions against conservation. This is a day that will live in infamy for conservationists. All of these Senators who voted for him, especially the Democrats & Angus King, will be called to account for his new attacks on Conservation, public lands, and oceans.

Bernhardt #123: Bernhardt officially becomes Worst Secretary of Interior Ever. Previously, Ryan Zinke held this dishonor with 224 documented reasons why he was the worst. But Bernhardt was Zinke’s Deputy & thus major “accomplisher” of this misdeeds & since he has been serving as temp, he accumulated 122 Documented actions against conservation. This is a day that will live in infamy for conservationists. All of these Senators who voted for him, especially the Democrats & Angus King, will be called to account for his new attacks on Conservation, public lands, and oceans.

Bernhardt #122: On day on which Bernhardt appears likely to be confirmed, several good new examples of why he is unfit for the job occurred: Bernhardt cuts Interior budget but spends big $ on reorg. Without any details! Reorganization was announced in 2019 but still no info! One more reason why Bernhardt’s unfit to be Secretary. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/04/11/stories/1060154287

Berhardt, mover behind monument cuts & no input from Native Americans on them, provides garbled documents to House Committee. He provided 100 pages of undecipherable documents. As with his poor documentation of his calendar, Bernhardt who is supposed to be Great Administrator focusing on small details, somehow can’t provide information that would reveal his ethical misdeeds. He is a sneaky, untrustworthy lackey of energy industry & not qualified to be Secretary. See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/04/11/stories/1060153133

Bernhardt only likes to get input from industry & is trying to systematically limit public input on leasing and drilling. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) led 13 senators in a letter to Bernhardt seeking clarity on what they called his decision to "systemically limit public input" on proposals to open more public lands for oil and gas leasing. One more reason why Bernhardt will be a disaster as Secretary of Interior. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/04/10/stories/1060152723

Heinrich votes for Bernhardt: Admits that he’s an “industry guy” but he “returns my phone calls” so he votes for him. He asked Bernhardt for stop on drilling near Chico Canyon but didn’t get clear answer from him. Scott & Rubio of Florida voted for him but never got any clear response on ocean drilling. All of these Senators will reap their just disappointments because if Trump & industry demand drilling, Bernhardt, the “industry man” as Heinrich acknowledged, will do their bidding gladly. See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/04/11/stories/1060153357

Bernhardt #121: Lying Davy Bernhardt’s Non-Transparent Calendars: Interior furnished documents on Davy’s missing schedules but review by CQ Roll Call found "at least 260 differences from Bernhardt's original schedules, with the newest records showing meetings previously described as 'external' or 'internal' were actually with representatives of fossil fuel, timber, mining and other industries." Read the double talk by Interior to explain why his meeting with former clients did not violate his recusals--Bull____! This is a guy who is trying to rewrite his record of ethical violations! Who trusts this guy? Senators voting for him with expectations that he will deliver on offshore drilling & other promises deserve the betrayals they will reap! See https://www.rollcall.com/news/congress/bernhardt-schedules-undisclosed-contacts-industry & https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/04/09/stories/1060151047

Bernhardt #120: Bernhardt vs the Truth: Spring 2019 issue of Audubon Magazine tells how Interior report on Alaska fuel production that falsely claimed that it would stop foreign countries from using their own reserves! Yet, they used this analysis to approve the project. This is one more example that Bernhardt will stop at no lie to help his lobby pals while harming the environment. See https://www.audubon.org/magazine/spring-2019/how-us-agencies-are-fudging-numbers-environmental

Bernhardt #119: Bernhardt versus Science: he cancelled a National Academy of Science study to be made of the effects of mountain top removal on health of those in areas around them. At time, Bernhardt said it as canceled due to internal review but there is NO EVIDENCE of such a review! One more lie from coal-oil lackey Bernhardt who doesn’t give a damn about illness if it’s caused by his favorite industries! See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/04/04/stories/1060142483

Bernhardt #118: Bernhardt cut NPS budget by Half-Billion including 2/3 cuts in historic preservation programs—Bernhardt’s NPA dir. admitted that they had NOT consulted with tribes. Bernhardt & NPS oppose new parks for U.S. So, what does this all mean? It is standard operating procedure for Bernhardt who only cares about ENERGY dominance—he is saying we don’t need funding for parks unless its from drilling-mining & we don’t need new parks despite growing population! Sen. Angus King—this is a guy who is opposed to major function of the agency he is supposed to head so vote against the creep! See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/04/04/stories/1060142243

Bernhardt #117: Bernhardt’ BLM deputy Director Steed announced Melhoff will be taking over Colorado BLM office. Qualifications for Melhoff? Steed says he’s a “fourth generation mining, farming, and ranching family." Yes, ONE MORE INDUSTRY LACKEY in top Interior position. Steed himself, like Bernhardt, is known for opposition to Grand Escalante & other “wilderness areas because they hurt economic growth” (Note: they don’t—just the opposite!). Interior has ALL of their top posts occupied by INDUSTRY lackeys—no exceptions! Once again we understand why Industry is gleefully laughing about their “access” (actually should be CONTROL) to (of) Interior. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/04/04/stories/1060143423​Bernhardt #116: An invoice shows that Bernhardt lobbied for client after he said he had ended his activities. His defense—it was “mislabeled” & he only attended meeting but didn’t lobby! What a phony! Will Angus King & Martin Heinrich vote for this unreliable crook? Why confirm this creep until his offshore drilling plan is released & these ethical issues are resolved. He’s already said he’s given assurance to King that Maine is off limits. Of course, Zinke said Florida was off-limits but it turns out it isn’t. There is NO REASON OR EXCUSE for any Democrat or Republican with slightest hope for Conservation credentials to vote NOW on his confirmation. Doing so should assure that they will be contested by a more conservation-minded candidate either in their primary or the general election. See https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/04/climate/david-bernhardt-interior-lobbying.html?emc=edit_th_190405&nl=todaysheadlines&nlid=103654190405 & https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/04/05/stories/1060144137

Bernhardt #114: Manchin & Murkowski: Approve Bernhardt & Combs because they have “Plenty of experience!” Yes, they have experience giving energy industry all they want so much so they are laughing about the Dept! Let’s have Manchin or Murkowski give examples of how Bernhardt & Combs have supported conservation! Of course, neither Senator gives a damn about that—only they see are $ for their favorite industry! See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/04/04/stories/1060143459

Bernhardt #113: Bernhardt pushes ethics reform!!s—his solution? An “ethics app!” Better solution: Don’t put people in charge who have clear conflicts of interest with Department’s business like Bernhardt & ALL of his staff like Combs & Jorjani. This industry lackey should not be approved until the many ethical questions surrounding his tenure are thoroughly studied as Sen. Wyden has said. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/04/03/stories/1060141877​ Bernhardt #112: Jorjani is Bernhardt’s kind of lawyer—no wonder he wants him to be Solicitor for Interior! Jorjani’s chief “credits” for his Interior work includes his killing of protections for migrating birds and allowing mining near Boundary Waters Canoe Wilderness! Just like Bernhardt, Jorjani can’t do too much for energy & too little for conservation. Neither of them deserve to serve! See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/04/02/stories/1060140301

Bernhardt #111: Bernhardt Loves Trophy Hunters--U.S. public doesn't: Bernhardt says Land & Water Conservation bill was approved because it had some clauses that would improve access of hunters to public lands. (Note: the high approval had nothing to do with access for hunters—this was the first major conservation initiative in the last couple of years and it was not initiated by the Trump Administration—the support was for steps such as CREATING NEW MONUMENTS. He is under the delusion that trophy hunting is popular and, of course, himself is a trophy hunter. His few tiny conservation efforts have been to provide corridors for big game hunters. Survey data shows CONCLUSIVELY that the general public DISAPPROVES of trophy hunting. Stephen Kellert, the major authority of attitudes of public towards wildlife issues conducted a NATIONAL survey based on personal interviews with over 3100 persons that matched well with the population of the U.S. He found the following results for support of hunting: 85% approved hunting for meat (22% strongly). But hunting for a trophy such as horns or a mounted animal was approved by only 18 percent (Only 2 percent strongly approved trophy hunting). By way of contrast, 80 percent disapproved of trophy hunting, 44 percent of them strongly disapproving. In short, the U.S. general public does not like or approve of trophy hunting. Someone please inform mighty trophy hunter Davy Bernhardt of this reality as is indicated by the reaction of Americans (and the World) to stories about the American dentist killing Cecil the lion in Africa & resignation of Idaho wildlife commissioner who photographed his "trophy:" killed baboon family. Yet Bernhardt's Intl Wildlife Council is loaded with Safari Club types!

Bernhardt #110: Bernhardt wants to hand Nat. Evmnt. Protection Act (NEPA) over to states just as he also wants to do with Endangered Species Act. He wants Wyoming to be primary reviewer to “speed NEPA process.” So Wyoming pols will decide where & what will be drilled or mined, what species will be killed on public lands, what types of development will occur, etc. Despite overwhelming evidence that the general population of western states cares about the environment, their state politics are dominated by energy industry and rancher-farmers. This is the NATIONAL Environmental Protect Act we are talking about! Do we want Utah politicians like Gary Herbert, Rob Bishop, & Mike Lee making decisions about NATIONAL parks, monuments, and lands in Utah? Note that Zinke & now Bernhardt want to locate Interior offices in western states confirming their idea that western public lands are the property of Western energy-ranching industry politicos and don’t belong to the broader U.S. public that pays the majority of U.S. taxes! It’s time to reject Bernhardt & save public lands and environment. For Bernhardt’s idiotic & dangerous proposal, see https://www.wyofile.com/wyo-bernhardt-eye-state-primacy-on-environmental-reviews/

Bernhardt #109: Trump’s Order to Open Arctic Waters to Oil Drilling Was Unlawful, Federal Judge Finds. One more example of how the only obstacle standing between Trump, Bernhardt, energy industry & pollution of unique waters & public lands are the courts. Let’s hope the Yahoos on the Supreme Court don’t mess this up. See https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/30/climate/trump-oil-drilling-arctic.html

Bernhardt #107: Federal Court saves Alaskan Refuge—they invalidated the land-swap deal that Bernhardt is trying push thru for road. Goes to show that Bernhardt-Interior are enemies of conservation & wildlife—Only courts stand between public lands being covered with road & wells. But warning: McConnell busy pushing through Republican conservative judges, so next time decision may be different. See https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2019/03/29/stories/1060134445

Bernhardt #106: Senators should also ask what staff Bernhardt has hired whose PRIMARY background & commitment is to CONSERVATION rather than energy dominance, welfare ranching, or trophy hunting! See below for discussion of his hiring of one after another industry lackeys such as #96, #92, and #57 for his staff.

Bernhardt #105: Bernhardt’s confirmation should be delayed until thorough investigations done of his role in delaying pesticide study, unethical work on Westlands, & efforts to hide meetings & detailed calendars. There is no reason to rush person with such ethical questions hanging over him. See below #92 where he hired pesticide industry consultant for his staff-no wonder he hid the study! See https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2019/03/29/stories/1060134379

Bernhardt #104: Bernhardt’s own Interior Budget zeroed out funding for LCW tho Bernhardt claims that he’s “A true believer” in it! Wow, what courage from this pudgy trophy hunter—he couldn’t stand up for program he “truly believes in.” Phony!!! See https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2019/03/28/stories/1060132835

Bernhardt #103: Opaque Non-Transparent Bernhardt suppressed USFWS report on harm done by pesticide chlorpyrifos—1400 species are threatened by the poison. Bernhardt reviewed the report & then prevented it from being released. This is just the latest in Bernhardt’s non-transparency—cutting FOIA, hiding his calendars, & cutting time for public comments on controversial projects. He proves once again he is not worthy of public service much less being Secretary of Interior. See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/03/27/stories/1060129821

Bernhardt 102: Bernhardt should not be confirmed until his detailed calendars are available for the many months where he hid meeting with industry & until details of his unethical work for Westlands. They are dragging their feet on FOIA until this industry creep is confirmed. See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/03/25/stories/1060128091

Bernhardt #101: Bernhardt claims “robust clearing process” for conflicts of interest. That’s why Industry can’t believe how the great time they are now having with Interior & Davy: “We know him very well, and we have direct access to him, have conversations with him about issues ranging from federal land access to endangered species, to a lot of issues.” Too bad opaque Bernhardt won’t let us find out about these great conversations he’s having with them! “Oil executives were…giddy at the prospect of high-level executive branch access of the sort they hadn’t enjoyed..” Bernhardt has repaid industry many times over, rescinding rules on fracking, methane gas release, compensatory mitigation, protections for migratory birds, etc. For more details of how energy industry is laughing at how great Bernhardt & Interior are treating them, see https://www.hcn.org/articles/department-of-interior-oil-industry-execs-marvel-at-their-access-to-interior-department?utm_source=wcn1&utm_medium=email

Bernhardt #100: Trump issued order to promote free speech & transparency on campuses at the same time Bernhardt & Trump ban mention of climate change or dissension from Energy Dominance priority by Interior staff or on their websites. Freedom is okay on campuses but not in Interior & other Trump agencies. Bernhardt, it should be noted, is FAMED for his LACK OF TRANSPARENCY—that’s one of the reasons Trump nominated him! See https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2019/03/21/stories/1060127895​Bernhardt #99: Bernhardt signs secretarial order promoting access for 4% of population that hunt. He kept migration for BIG GAME on hold because welfare sheep ranchers in Wy object! As hunter pop. continues to drop despite large $ spent by states to recruit them, Bernhardt-Trump continue to toady more & more to them. Indeed, they are the only “outdoor” constituency Bernhardt cares about. Trump lackeys like Whit Forsburgh praised the move tho he didn’t mention the hold on BIG GAME—typical lack of courage by this head of Teddy Roosevelt-named conservation organization. See following story that has photo of pudgy Bernhardt with his kill: https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2019/03/21/stories/1060127891

Bernhardt #97: Bernhardt-Interior pay 291 Million for coal cleanup on money from coal company fund but slashes funds from Treasury’s own budget. Just as with conservation, cleaning up the mess left by “energy dominance” is slight of hand trick by Oily Bernhardt. Of course, much of the devastation by oil-gas-coal are uncovered by the Feds—see #95 below. Pretty soon, Interior will have no budget of its own—it will all come from funds derived from drilling. For Bernhardt budget tricks, see https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/03/20/stories/1060127763

Bernhardt #90: Bernhardt Hands Wolves over to States so they can kill them. Facts are clear: States only avoid killing wolves due to fear of Feds relisting. E.G., Wyoming’s 2017 goal was to reduce wolf pop. By 50 wolves—just enough to avoid relisting. Top priority of USFWS such as Margaret Everson, UFWS dep. dirctor & formerly of Ducks Unlimited Hunting group, is to make hunters happy—she kept Wildlife Refuges (a misnomer under the Bernhardt-Everson Admin.!) open during the government shutdown to keep hunters happy. Bernhardt is also actively seeking to weaken the ESA so that states make all the decisions about all species, getting rid of them if they hurt the profits of ranchers, farmers, developers, and energy industry. See Wyoming Gray Wolf Monitoring and Management 2017 Annual Report. Accessed 2/21/19 from https://wgfd.wyo.gov/WGFD/media/content/PDF/Wildlife/Large%20Carnivore/2017-Wyoming-Wolf-Annual-Report_FINAL_2018-04-10.pdf p. 14-16

Bernhardt #89: Bernhardt’s Office of Inspector General did not reveal BLM directed to exclude coal-lease areas from revised Grand Escalante monument despite priceless dinosaur remains in it—One more Example of Hiding of Information by sneaky, opaque Bernhardt & why he’s not worthy of confirmation. See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/03/14/stories/1060127237

Bernhardt #88: Bernhardt’s own Chief Interior FOIA Officer doesn’t know anything about Bernhardt’s calendar being deleted—she has “Some Familiarity” with the issue! This lackey hid all of his communications with industry & now trying to hide his hiding! This sneaky fraudster is NOT worthy of confirmation! See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/03/14/stories/1060127267

Bernhardt #87: Bipartisan Environmental Legislation & Cautions for Conservationists. Congress has been congratulating itself for passing “bipartisan” environmental legislation funding the Land & Water Conservation Act. The Act does have some important positive contributions to expanding monuments and providing funds for possible acquisition of more public lands. However, it also has some negative consequences. Interior continues to cut their own operating budget for conservation including protection of species & public lands relying instead totally on revenues from oil-gas-coal leases on public lands & oceans. In many cases, these lands may be perfect for such activity because they are devoid of important habitat & don’t affect parks-monuments and other valuable and sensitive lands-oceans. But the Bernhardt-Trump Admin. has shown that they are willing to exploit lands & oceans that have very harmful effects on important habitat as well as putting them near important parks and other valuable places such as the Boundary Waters, Grand Canyon, & many others. Does this legislation place any restrictions on such exploitation? Given Bernhardt & ALL of his staff are lackeys of the oil-gas-coal-ranching industries, it is a deal with the Devil. Those interested in conservation need to push for limits on leasing on these lands and oceans. See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/03/11/stories/1060126879

Bernhardt #84: Bernhardt, model of opaqueness, had BLM’s report on proposed drilling in ANWR hide criticisms by scientists. One more example of how sneaky Bernhardt opposite transparent, cuts FOIA, comment times for controversial projects, hides communications with lobbyists. For details of hiding ANWR report, see https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/03/12/stories/1060127067

​#82: See the account by Wyoming resident & volunteer on how Bernhardt is destroying previous agreement to protect sage grouse habitat in the state’s “Golden Triangle” area. He doesn’t listen to local input—unless by energy companies! See https://www.wyofile.com/defend-wyomings-homegrown-grouse-plan-from-federal-meddling/​Bernhardt #81: Trump’s latest budget contains big cuts for environmental programs. But we can rest assured that Davy Bernhardt, Acting Secretary of Interior, will defend the environment & conservation—right!!!???? No, Bernhardt’s idea of conservation program is building target ranges for gun enthusiasts on public lands and building roads through forests to make access to big game easier for hunters! Other than for guns enthusiasts & trophy hunters, he has not shown the slightest interest in conservation. Let’s hope the Democrats & a few (there are only a few) conservation-minded Republicans will rectify these harmful cuts. See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/03/11/stories/1060126889

Bernhardt #78: Analysis of Interior 2019 budget shows he cut budget for conservation-habitat programs by 60 Million, & even cut Land & Water Conservation from its own operating budget (oil-gas-lease funds separate). Despite bragging about big game corridors. Overall Interior's leasing is affecting millions of acres of corridors—far more than tiny areas protected. Once again, shows Bernhardt shows that he is a big liar, & his idea of “balance” is to weight oil-gas-coal 99% versus 1% for conservationSee https://medium.com/westwise/will-acting-interior-secretary-david-bernhardt-put-some-money-where-his-mouth-is-16a0ea330c5b

Bernhardt #76: A preview of what will happen if ANWR is drilled—Alaska has had to order the shutting & plugging of 14 wells that leaked and contaminated Prudhoe Bay. Climate change has cause leaking permafrost that helped cause the problem. Bernhardt will proceed anyway—he is owned lock, stock, & BARREL by oil industry. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/03/07/stories/1060123399

Bernhardt #75: Bernhardt’s Bureau of Ocean Management would not give any guarantees on protecting states from offshore drilling. The Senate should give no guarantees on confirming Bernhardt. Even better, they should ask Trump to withdraw this oil lackey nomination! See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/03/07/stories/1060123385

Bernhardt #74: A Bill in the House proposes to spend more to hire more scientists & professionals with expertise in botany. Great idea since revenues devoted to conservation & endangered species way down in Trump Ad. But sad—Bernhardt only cares about Big Game Species & hates anything associated with science—after all, he is a climate and science denier. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/03/06/stories/1060123309

Bernhardt #73: Bernhardt’s Kowtowing Once Again to Trophy Hunters/Welfare Ranchers: He wants to hand over protections of wolves handing to states. As shown in #72, states such as Wyoming & Idaho are “protecting” wolves to avoid relisting under ESA. Without protection from Feds, people like Butch Otter, Governor of Idaho who sent hunters into Frank Church Wildlife refuge to kill wolves & would be glad to render them extinct again. The craziness behind this decision is that vast majority of public support wolf expansion as proven by surveys & comments to states and USFWS. Proof: revenues from viewing them FAR EXCEED costs to livestock/hunting revenues lost (see proof in #72 below). But small numbers of farmers & hunters totally dominate policy in these states. Ask anyone who has visited parks where wolves & grizzlies exist—visitors want to SEE them—ALIVE far more than any other animals or sites.

Bernhardt #72: Bernhardt lifts protections for wolves to make trophy hunters happy—they don’t want competition. Western state wildlife departments current goal (example: Wyoming’s) is to keep their numbers just at the level required so as not to be listed under ESA. Bernhardt is also trying to weaken ESA, handing off decisions to state departments. The funny thing is that surveys throughout Western states consistently show big majorities favor wolves (and grizzlies). Wolves & other predators are worth far more alive than dead! Example: Alaska, which has the most wolves: Revenues from hunting: .5 Billion, Revenues from Wildlife Viewing: 2.5 Billion! Source: Alaska Office of Management & Budget. So what will happen to wolves & grizzlies! Sorry to see you go! See https://www.omb.alaska.gov//html/performance/details.html?p=63#td9256​Bernhardt #71: Bernhardt-Zinke One Claim to Wildlife Conservation Also Flawed: The only area related to conservation that Bernhardt-Zinke showed any interest in & took action on concerns corridors for Big Game animals such as elk, pronghorn, and mule deer. They did set aside some small areas free from leasing & bragged about this to their trophy hunter followers. However, the real story is that their feverish lease of lands throughout the West overwhelms the small areas they have protected and thus there will be fewer of these game animals. For example, they are making huge cuts in protected habitat for sage grouse which also helps ungulates and other wildlife. When this happens, who will they blame? No doubt about: wolves and grizzlies! See story on Wyoming feeble attempts to provide game animal corridors. https://www.wyofile.com/game-and-fish-proposes-new-migration-corridor-protections/ & https://www.wyofile.com/blm-leases-23k-acres-in-sage-grouse-golden-triangle/​Bernhardt #70: Real Story on Guns on Public Lands. Bernhardt has claimed overwhelming support by the public for guns on public lands because overwhelming votes for the recent Land Conservation Bill. Of course, like all Bernhardt statements, this is a total lie. The support for the bill was primarily due to conservation measures unrelated to guns such as expanding or creating new monuments. Only NRA gun types were focused on the expansion of guns on public lands and there is no doubt that if the public voted on this part of the bill, it would have failed. There is overwhelming data that the percentage of Americans hunting has fallen steadily so that it is a small minority of the U.S. population. By way of contrast, the percentage of people WATCHING wildlife has grown. Dollars spent on hunting: 26 Billion, Dollars spent on Watching wildlife: 76 Billion. Revenues from sales of guns-ammo etc. have dropped precipitously—the source of Federal funds for State wildlife departments. Monies from duck stamps and sales of licenses at the state level have also consistently fallen compared with inflation. All of these facts are well-documented by the US Fish & Wildlife Service. It shows that reliance on hunting-guns-ammo is a dead end for funding of conservation of wildlife. Yet, what do state wildlife departments do in response to this decline? They spend more time & dollars trying to recruit more hunters! See https://www.census.gov/library/publications/2018/demo/fhw-16-nat.htmlhttps://www.census.gov/content/dam/Census/library/visualizations/2016/demo/fhw16-qkfact.pdfhttps://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/stories/1060060027/

\Bernhardt #69: Hey Bernhardt: GOP Senators reject your FOIA changes too! Turns out they don’t believe in Interior being the Department of Opaqueness either! Hope they question you on this in your hearing! Also, please ask this oil lobbyist about his other anti-transparency moves such as cutting time for public comments and hiding his detailed calendar! See https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2019/03/05/stories/1060123191

Bernhardt #68: More on Bernhardt’s Vision for BLM: Like Zinke, Bernhardt’s vision for Interior & BLM is exemplified by the “vision cards” BLM employees are required to wear exhibit an Oil Rig and Grazing on Public Lands! BLM’s “official” logo shows a tree, river, and mountain—not to Zinke-Bernhardt’s liking—too much conservation oriented! Interior-BLM employees also now refer to their constituencies as “stakeholders” and “customers”—not the public! See https://yubanet.com/usa/blm-employees-ordered-to-wear-propaganda-badges/

Bernhardt #67: The House Nat. Resources Com. is going to question Interior officials on offshore drilling, their priorities during shutdown, and water safety. Bad News for Davy Bernhardt who never saw a shore he didn’t want to drill. He loves shutdowns as long as he can continue to support energy industry drilling in ANWR, offshore U.S. etc. This is a chance for Dems to seek out Republican colleagues to get rid of oil lackey Bernhardt! See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/03/04/stories/1060122841

Bernhardt #66: Hey, Bernhardt, Watch out! Even a few Republicans are interested in conservation! Some Rep. senators & reps. created the “Roosevelt Conservation Caucus.” They might have a vision of Interior different from Davy’s—his is energy dominance, making public lands safe for trophy hunters & lead shot-gear, roads through wilderness for logging & hunter-poachers, drilling land and ocean regardless if near parks, monuments, and areas with sensitive ecology, voiding laws that protect threatened species but hinder development or annoy people (e.g., wolves). You obviously don’t know about Teddy Roosevelt but he once was President of the U.S. and was the foremost conservationist President ever and CREATED monuments and the Antiquities Act that allow them. He also tried to preserve species from development—not sacrifice them to development. Let’s hope these Republicans join with Democrats to dump you—you do not deserve to be Secretary of Interior—you are the Anti-Teddy Roosevelt! See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/03/04/stories/1060122847

Bernhardt #65: Bernhardt misused used Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Fund (FLREA) in order to keep parks open during shutdown to help Trump and despite threats to parks safety and quality. One more reason why Bernhardt should never even be considered for Secretary of Interior—he has manipulated his office for politics and energy lobby neglecting the environment and conservation. See https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2019/03/01/stories/1060122837

Bernhardt #64: Minnesota & other Dems: Grill Jorjani & Bernhardt on decision to allow mining near Boundary Waters. Obama Admin. had denied but Jorjani, nominee Interior nominee to be solicitor, wants to allow. This, like uranium mining near Grand Canyon, shows Bernhardt-Jorjani priorities—none of which involve conservation of public lands and wildlife. (Note: Jorjani reinterpreted International Bird Migration Treaty to cut protections for birds -see #57 below) Jorjani is well-qualified to work as a lawyer--for Exxon, not for Interior! See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/03/01/stories/1060122817

#63: Coalition to get rid of Bernhardt: South Carolina & 9 other states on U.S. coast are fighting Bernhardt’s plan to drill offshore. This is chance for senators, not just Democrats, to kill Bernhardt nomination! Grill this pudgy moon-faced lackey about this at his nomination hearing! See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/03/01/stories/1060122809

Bernhardt #61: Another oil lackey appointed to key Interior positions: Chad Padgett named to head BLM Alaska, handpicked by Balash, Asst Sec Land & Minerals, who has sponsored oil gas tax breaks and development of ANWR. Padgett is also aide to Don Young, major opponent of ESA & favor drilling ANWR. Once again, Bernhardt appoints energy industry who, like him, are their lackeys. There is NO BALANCE whatsoever in Bernhardt & Trump’s Interior Department. They are a disgrace to the party of Teddy Roosevelt. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/02/27/stories/1060122581& https://departmentofinfluence.org/person/joseph-joe-balash/

Bernhardt #58: Bernhardt’s USFWS is trying to getting rid of the “blanket 4(d) rule that gives threatened and endangered species protection. This was proposed by Greg Sheehan, Deputy Director of USFWS! What kind of “conservationist” would be placed in this position? He is a member of the Safari Club, as head of Utah agency he opposed introduction of wolves into Utah, he opposed ban on import of elephant trophies—indeed overrode Trump’s position on this(!), he helped Petroleum Asso. delay ESA listing of an endangered species in Texas & supports weakening ESA by eliminating deadlines & giving more power to states to avoid listing. In other words, like Bernhardt, he is a gun-loving creep whose ONLY interest in wildlife is providing game trophies for his hunting buddies. Like Bernhardt, he is totally unfit to be in his job. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/02/26/stories/1060122449 & https://departmentofinfluence.org/person/greg-sheehan/

Bernhardt #57: Bernhardt nominates another Koch Brothers lackey as Interior’s Solicitor: Nominee Jorjani weakened Migratory Bird Treaty, against compensatory mitigation by industries, allowed mining near Boundary Waters, trying to cut FOIA, tried to get Zinke’s wife travel compensated for. His main qualification: He worked for Koch Institute and Koch Foundation. Once again, Bernhardt has staff who all are energy industry lackeys. His talk of “balance” is a joke. It proves once again he is totally unfit to be Secretary of Interior. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/02/27/stories/1060122571

Bernhardt #55: Energy Leases over Sage Grouse: Bernhardt's BLM is trying to speed a lease of critical grouse lek areas in Wyoming. Once again, he places energy dominance above all else—his idea of a ”balanced approach” which means to him give energy all the land and oceans they want and let conservation have the remainder. See https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2019/02/25/stories/1060122371

Bernhardt #53: Questions for Senators & Representatives to Ask Bernhardt: (1) Should offshore drilling be done off of states that don’t want it? (2) Should full protection be Restored to Migrating Birds under the International Migratory Bird Treaty? (3) Should the Endangered Species Act be kept strong so that species are not threatened by cost benefit analysis? (4) Should lead bullets and gear be allowed in National Parks and Wildlife Refuges? (5) Should welfare ranchers like Bundy be allowed to graze public lands without paying dues? (6) Should monuments be cut by a President? (7) Should full FOIA access be allowed so as to provide transparency and accountability? Should full details of his and other Interior staff be provided on ALL of their communications with external organizations including phone, email, as well as direct meetings? (8) What kind of ethical principles should be established for Interior employees who are involved in decision-making related to former employers? (9) Why are Bernhardt’s top staff dominated by energy and ranching interests? (10) How can balance be restored to decisions about international wildlife trade given the dominance of self-interested groups like the Safari Club on Interior’s International Wildlife Council? (11) Does Bernhardt favor keeping Confederate general statues in public parks? (12) Why should guns be allowed in National Parks and wildlife refuges—what is their primary purpose—support of hunters or conservation? (13) What is the primary purpose of Interior and public lands—energy dominance or conservation of natural resources? (14) What protection should be provided to protected areas and endangered species on the U.S. southern border? (15) What is Bernhardt’s position on the impact of climate change on U.S. natural resources such as forests-& what SCIENTIFIC evidence does he have to defend this position? (16) In making decisions about endangered species, what should be the most important factors—science or cost benefit analysis? (17) In making decisions on matters involving conservation of public lands, what factors should be most important such as public comments, comments from private interest groups, or local and state politicians? In particular, what were the DETERMINING factors in the decisions to cut back Grand Escalante and Bears Ears Monuments? (18) What justification does he have for keeping parks open despite the shutdown when there is strong evidence that this was harmful to the parks? (19) When are welfare ranchers going to pay the full costs of the harm done by their grazing public lands when this grazing is unproductive and would not survive without Federal handouts? (20) How long should temporary directors be in charge of Interior agencies without Senate approval? (21) What defense does he have for drilling ANWR when BLM’s own analysis shows that there will be permanent harm to wildlife and environment of the area & the world is afloat in oil?

​Bernhart #52: There is more evidence that Bernhardt is trying to destroy the Endangered Species Act. He worked for a right-wing outfit named CESAR that brings suits that either attacks endangered species listings or cases that will make it difficult for the ESA. This outfit is also closely associated with Westlands organization which Bernhardt lobbies for and for which he now faces ethical scrutiny for assisting them while working for Interior. Just one more proof that Bernhardt is opposed to the conservation function of Interior—one of its major purposes and thus is unfit to be Secretary. https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/02/22/stories/1060122205​

Bernhardt #50: Bernhardt Kisses Trump’s Ass & backs Wall despite previously Interior warnings that it would harm endangered species & monuments and wildlife refuges. This is an example of what Davy calls a “balanced approach.” He also, of course, gushes about Trump’s planned Military Parade to be run by Interior’s Park Service which most military leaders oppose. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/02/21/stories/1060121751

Bernhardt #48: Bernhardt just visited M.L. King’s home which begs the question from this lobbyist: Does he, like Zinke, support Confederate statues in public parks and locations? Let’s ask this creep this question & see if he gives a straight answer. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/02/19/stories/1060121389

Bernhardt #47: Bernhardt, whose only “conservation support” comes from hunter groups, was raised appropriately in Rifle CO. See photo of pudgy Bernhardt with his dead trophy. Like Zinke, his ONLY interest in wildlife-public lands is hunting for trophies. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/02/20/stories/1060121623​Bernhardt #46: Like their boss, other Interior officials are in trouble for violating ethics rules communicating with former employers about official matters. Evidence against them came from their calendars—no wonder Bernhardt wants to keep info on his meetings vague & hidden. https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/02/20/stories/1060121627

Bernhardt #45: Davy Bernhardt is trying to cut FOIA requests when his & other lobbyists staffing of Interior jobs with all kinds of conflicts of interests make it necessary for MORE FOIA, not less. This is just part of his push for opaqueness. It also includes short time periods for comments on controversial projects and his refusal to detail his activities and communications for accountability. For an example of the need for accountability for this sneaky lobbyist, start with his handout to Westlands. See https://medium.com/westwise/david-bernhardt-delivers-favor-for-major-former-client-a46fcb9827a1​Bernhardt #44: Bernhardt has the support of Trophy Hunters. Ducks Unlimited CEO Dale Hall said he is a “champion of conservation” & Whit Fosburgh of the TEDDY ROOSEVELT Conservation Partnership, the Boone & Crockett Club, the National Wild Turkey Federation, Guns.com, the NRA, & the National Shooting Sports Foundation strongly support him. Maybe they can explain how this guy who is leading the attack on Endangered Species Act, cut protections under the Bird Migration Treaty, cut monuments & champions “Energy Dominance” as the top priority of Interior is a “champion of conservation"???!!! Total Bull___! However, it does make sense—Bernhardt has followed Zinke in that his SOLE actions involving any sort of conservation have been to protect trophy big game—saving some small patches of land for their migration. He like Zinke is gung ho in opening all national wildlife refuges and parks to guns and he loves lead ammo & gears. In my book, Wildlife Politics (Cambridge University Press, Ch. 10 devoted to hunting) I found several instances where hunters have joined with conservation forces to win important victories for conservation & not just those involving game species. But it now is becoming clear that in the major hunter organizations above, their sole concern is with their guns, trophies & maintaining their ability to say they are friends with the Secretary of the Interior. They do not care about non-game species, the cutbacks in monuments, nor Bernhard’s devotion to drilling public lands for energy dominance. It is a disgraceful, narrow, selfish, and cowardly stance on their part. ​See ​https://www.nationalparkstraveler.org/2019/02/david-bernhardts-nomination-interior-secretary-quickly-criticizedhttps://www.guns.com/news/2019/02/05/gun-conservation-groups-support-nomination-of-david-bernhardt-as-interior-bosshttp://www.nwtf.org/about/state-news/nwtf-pleased-bernhardt-nomination-doi-role

Bernhardt #43: Bill Scolds Interior for Non-transparency. It gives NOAA 5.4 billion but criticizes it for ignoring their requests for information. Bernhardt-Trump don’t like hearing about science and climate change. They only listen to their sponsors—the energy industry. https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/02/14/stories/1060121097

Bernhardt #42: Bernhardt, Secretary of the Department of Opaqueness is now beginning to get some questions from the House concerning his non-transparency. Recent bipartisan legislation gave 14 million for Zinke’s “reorganization” but requires that “transparency must be an essential element” to Congress as well as “robust communications” with Tribes. Bernhardt like Zinke has only listened to state-local politicos interested in benefitting from drilling & they hide their communications vigorously. They totally ignored the huge majority of comments & input from groups concerned with the environment, heeding only those who want to profit from public lands. Unfortunately, given Bernhardt’s sneakiness, not only Congress but investigative reporters will have to act to provide such accountability. In my view, the whole reorganization is a waste of time (like most government reorganizations)—its main purpose is to try to hand over policies on public lands & endangered species to state & local interests where monetary selfishness will override any idealistic concern with preserving species & the environment for future generations. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/02/14/stories/1060121097

Bernhardt #41: The recent bipartisan border legislation protected several sensitive lands. One would think that Interior’s Fish & Wildlife Service would speak up for such actions but, if there are any conservation-minded professionals left, they are mute. Bernhardt-Zinke-Trump have made one after another attacks on conservation & wildlife, & there has been NOT EVEN AN UTTERANCE of disagreement from the agency supposedly prioritizing conservation & wildlife. Consequently, if any protections for wildlife are to exist, they must come from Congress and particularly the House—one encouraging sign is that committees & subcommittees concerning with public lands & conservation have added some Democrats whose are interested in conservation as a priority—not energy dominance the sole concern of Republicans on these committees. See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/02/15/stories/1060121183

Bernhardt #40: Bernhardt’s Interior plans to use “active management” of forests, they say, “supported by best available science.” Funny, best available science says that climate change is a significant factor but energy industry lackey Bernhardt doesn’t believe in climate change or science—His only criterion for policy is whether it will advance the interests of his lobby partners. Interior also plans to give “categorical exclusions from Nat. Evmnt. Protection Act—once again, the environment, conservation & wildlife have NO PRIORITY with Bernhardt’s Interior. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/02/13/stories/1060120485

Bernhardt #39: Bernhardt violated ethical rules by a policy favoring his former client, Westlands, by initiating actions to weaken protections for delta smelt, His defense???: a subservient Interior “ethics(less) official” approved his action because his lobbying concerned a broad bill that INCLUDED the action against the delta smelt. Somehow the ethics(less) official & Bernhardt think this allows his ethical violation! Moreover, there is no written record of Bernhardt having been given this okay. It’s time for this corrupt lobbyist & violator of ethical rules to be given the boot! See https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/12/climate/david-bernhardt-endangered-species.html

Bernhardt #38: Bernhardt not only ignores science, he avoids scientific study of the harmful effects of the coal industry’s removal of mountaintops. He cancelled a scientific study for no good reason as attested to by Interior’s Inspector General. Interior's judge of research projects is now done by a political hack. Like Zinke, he also continues to ignore & banish proof by scientific studies that climate change is a major threat to public lands, oceans, and forest fires—mention of climate change has been removed from the Department’s website. See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/02/12/stories/1060120287

Bernhardt #37: Bernhardt can also show “balance” he is now promising to compensate for the 2 years of unremittingly UNBALANCED favors he & Zinke have done for energy & ranching industries by the following actions: (1) Take a stand in FAVOR of keeping the strong Endangered Species Act as is & now weakening via cost/benefit analysis or handing over decisions to states; (2) Reverse the cuts made to National Monuments; (3) Reverse BLM’s decision not to require developers/industry to compensate for mitigation costs; (4) Keep lead bullets/gear out of national parks/wildlife reserves; (5) Reverse the decision to drill offshore. (6) Reverse decision to drill ANWR. These steps would allow conservationists to have some faith in Bernhardt but I am not holding my breath. Indeed, if the industry lobbyist lackey Bernhardt is approved as full-time Secretary, I have no doubt that he will add to the list of wrongs Interior is doing to conservation & wildlife. ​

Bernhardt #36: Bernhardt is now worried about “balance questions” in his upcoming confirmation hearings so he TEMPORARILY exempts Chaco Nat. Park parcels from upcoming lease. Once confirmed, he will hand it over to his lobby friends. Other than small migration routes for trophy wildlife, when has Bernhardt ever sacrificed industry interests for conservation? Make him PERMANENTLY protect Chaco & other park-monuments threatened by industry. Also, Please, Whit Fosburgh provide us a list of the cases in which Bernhardt has taken side of conservation over interests of industry! Oh, I know he will be happy to put up buildings, sidewalks, stores etc. in parks—he likes infrastructure that pave over natural landscapes! We have a huge list (see #33 below) of when he has favored industry over conservation. See the liar’s words at https://www.wsj.com/articles/interior-secretary-nominee-says-he-will-balance-energy-environment-11549634400?mod=searchresults&page=1&pos=1

Bernhardt #35: Democrats need to do more than just get his calendar—need to get not only the details of his meetings—he often refuses to provide details. Also, need to find out his “communications” with the multitude of his former lobbyist partner companies—grill him under oath on what lobbyist friends he has communicated with by phone, computer, or any other means. This guy hides everything and only threat of prosecution will influence him to reveal the truth. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/02/08/stories/1060120071

Bernhardt #34: Bernhardt’s “advisers” are as bad as he is. Susan Combs, his “Policy Adviser,” tried to kill ESA protections for Texas warbler when she was Texas Comptroller—a position that evidence & Interior’s own agency & the Courts have contradicted. Combs, a rancher-oil-lobbyist friend is one of Bernhardt’s staff who makes decisions when Bernhardt “recuses himself” from his many conflict of interests. Shows that the entire top hierarchy of Interior needs to be cleaned out & that his recusals are meaningless. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/02/08/stories/1060120063

​Bernhardt #32: BLM has postponed seismic testing in ANWR during winter but insists it will go on with it later but it will be “less-rigorous environmental analysis” rather than a full Environmental Impact Study on the seismic testing request.” Just one more proof that Bernhardt cares only about energy companies—the public & conservation be damned. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/02/07/stories/1060119943

Bernhardt #31: Time to prosecute Cliven Bundy for non-payment of fees for welfare ranching on public lands. Bernhardt claims to have “balanced approach” but so far has only made decisions favoring oil-gas-coal industry & welfare ranchers. Why should Bundy get away with non-payment? Put up or shut up about "balance."

Bernhardt #30: Bernhardt’s BLM rushes to Lease Public lands & Ignores threats: They got tiny $ for land next to Petrified National Forest, land near Canyonlands National Park, & Chaco National Historic Park. They are rushing to sell leases at low rates, cutting time for public comment, with NO PLANS to protect critical areas. The only concession they have made is tiny area for mule deer migration to help trophy hunters. And they are trying to cut FOIA requirements so their handouts to Bernhardt’s energy owners can’t be detected. So much for Bernhardt’s bull___ about “balanced use of public lands.” See https://www.eenews.net/stories/1060099219 & https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/02/07/stories/1060119933

Reasons why David Bernhardt is even worse for the Department of Interior than Ryan Zinke

Bernhardt #29: Bernhardt previous decisions were almost all anti-conservation: He allowed exclusion of End. Species habitat, allowed removal wolves from protection, opened more public lands for mining. Once he did hold that the ESA barred import of polar bear trophies but now he is leading the charge to destroy ESA. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/02/06/stories/1060119807

Bernhardt #28: The Bernhardt Nomination: Bernhardt promises for 1 year not to participate in decisions concerning the many oil industry firms he has lobbied for. But that means that his staff, who are ALL either former energy/ranching employees will make the decisions & give Bernhardt's former clients what they want. Also, Trump in his SOTU speech only mentioned Interior once to brag about energy dominance. Similarly, Bernhardt, like Zinke, has NEVER discussed conservation other than preserving big game for trophy hunters including his statement on his nomination by Trump. He is perfectly qualified to be the lackey of energy industry but he has Zero qualifications to conserve the environment & wildlife--MAJOR portions of Interior's Mission. In other words, he has NO business being Secretary of the Interior. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/02/05/stories/1060119679 & https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/02/06/stories/1060119769​

Bernhardt #27: Big laugh-Bernhardt goes on “ethics offensive” by naming new ethics officials. This from a man who routinely makes decisions benefiting former employers, hides his communications, & is trying to cut FOIA accountability. Like all of his appointees, they will undoubtedly be from energy-ranching-trophy hunting industries. They can start their job by investigating him for violating Fed. Lands Rec Act misuse of park fees used for operations during shutdown than improving service and for extending temporary appointees illegally-see #25 below. See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/02/04/stories/1060119413 & https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/02/04/stories/1060119563​

Bernhardt #26: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is holding more meetings to collect “comments’ on a plan to expand oil development in ANWR. However, though their analysis showed many enduring harmful impacts that this development will have on wildlife & the environment, they have already decided that they sell oil leases for this land to oil companies. They want to maximize profits to energy companies that have employed many of Interior Staff such as Sec. Bernhardt. They also want to despoil the land before another Admin. takes over—so it will no longer have the cachet of being “pristine.” In other words, their "public comment" information gathering is pure "baloney" (feel free to substitute your own characterization for this!) See https://www.arctictoday.com/with-us-government-shutdown-over-path-cleared-for-hearings-on-arctic-oil-development/

Bernhardt #25: One Temp Extending Temps: This is illegal! ACTING Interior Sec. David Bernhardt is extending the jobs of Deputy Solicitor Jorjani, Deputy Director of BLM, & Susan Combs Asst. Sec. for Policy, Management, & Budget. These extensions violate the Federal Vacancies Reform Act which prohibits keeping staff for extended periods of time who have not been approved by the Senate. So, what’s the defense of ACTING Sec. Bernhardt? He says that the individuals aren't assigned the formal title of acting director and instead merely act "with the authority of directors." Talk about Distinctions without a Difference!!! It is particularly egregious because it is one temp (Bernhardt) that is illegally extending other temps! This is totally phony BULL____ & should be taken to the courts. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/01/31/stories/1060119173

Utah Politicians: Want to undermine more monuments. Sen. Mike Lee will not support Land and Water Conservation Fund (that has lapsed under Trump-Zinke-Bernhardt Administration) unless a clause is added that require congressional approval of new land designations in Utah. Such a clause already exists for Alaska & Wyoming. Just think if such approvals were required since Teddy R! There would have been strong oil-gas-coal-rancher opposition not only to most monuments but to many of the National parks, and, as has been shown time and again, these strong selfish-interest organizations dominate and defeat measures that have the support of the vast public but, because these interests are more idealistic & not selfish, lose out to the concentrated power of Congressional institutions such as Congressional committees & now the entire leadership of the Interior Department that are now TOTALLY dominated by selfish industry interests. Indeed, surveys clearly show that a majority of Utahans themselves support conservation of public lands & monuments over energy production (61% to 26%) but they lose out to Utah politicos who are firmly in the pockets of energy-ranching interests. See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/02/01/stories/1060119237 & https://www.coloradocollege.edu/other/stateoftherockies/documents/2019%20Powerpoint%20State%20of%20the%20Rockies%20d2b.pdf

Bernhardt #23: Bernhardt just extended Acting Interior top appointees to stay in jobs despite violating rules of Federal Vacancies Act. Who does Bernhardt demand be kept? Principal Deputy Solicitor Danie Jorjani is a former Koch Brothers “key employee” who has advised energy companies on their investments. BLM’s Deputy Director for Policy and Programs Brian Steed has published studies on public lands alleging that wilderness areas “impose costs on local economies” & reduced economic growth and he has pushed for oil & coal development in Grand Escalante National Park. Public lands, monuments, wildlife conservation—the Bernhardt-Trump Interior philosophy: Billions for energy companies, drilling for public lands, wildlife reserves, and oceans. For documentation, see https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2019/01/30/interior-department-is-running-mainly-without-senate-confirmed-leaders-it-just-opted-keep-it-that-way/?utm_term=.372205c661a6

Department of Conservation: Why we need it! The Trump-Zinke-Bernhardt Department of Interior has relegated conservation to bottom of the barrel. They have pushed energy dominance as their top goal, and their other priorities are Welfare Ranchers on Public Lands, trophy hunters, & wealthy development corporations. Concern about conservation & wildlife is non-existent—when have Bernhardt-Zinke pushed conservation-wildlife priorities? Never! That is why there needs to be a new Department committed first & foremost to Conservation. Though a Democratic presidency would help to moderate some of the worst aspects of the current situation, institutional forces will continue to mean that conservative Republicans & Dems. (e.g., Manchin) will flock to key committees & prevent any major conservation efforts (see below comment on Murkowski et al for details on this point).

How Institutionalism Allows Western GOP states to dominate Interior Decisions: One just has to look at Lisa Murkowski & other Alaskan politicians to see how they flock to Committees (e.g., Energy and Natural Resources& Interior-Environment Appropriations in Senate) that allow pro-energy forces to get their way & drill ANWR & offshore & other anti-conservation moves. This explains why despite the fact that the U.S. public that prioritizes conservation over “energy dominance,” environment & wildlife forces have been on losing side of so many battles. In the House, anti-Endangered Species Act Don Young has dominant authority on House Committee on Resources. There are some hopeful signs that new Democrats elected in midterms may have some impact in the House including several from non-Western states but with Murkowski in charge & oil lackey Bernhardt running Interior, they are rushing to despoil ANWR so that it will no longer be “pristine” by the time Trump gets kicked out of office. See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/01/29/stories/1060118823& https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/01/24/stories/1060118459

Bernhardt #22: Bernhardt cares about welfare farmers—but to hell with conservation & wildlife. He reinstated grazing permits to Hammonds who committed arson & poaching on a wildlife refuge. Why? Because Trump pardoned them! At same time, there is no evidence that anyone in Trump Admin. is trying to get WELFARE RANCHER Bundy’s to pay grazing fees on PUBLIC LANDS. This Interior Dept. has no interest or commitment to conservation & wildlife—instead focuses on drilling ANWR & Oceans, handing over monuments/public lands to energy/developers/welfare ranchers. Its conservation functions should be placed in a new Department of Conservation that prioritizes it—not energy dominance! For documentation see https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/01/29/stories/1060118899 & Ch. 3 of my book that details the outrages that the Bundy clan has gotten away with for decades—long before the standoff https://www.wildlifepolitics.org/

Bernhardt #20: Bernhardt & Interior are trying to reduce FOIA requests arguing that they have received too many & are too burdensome. But reality is Bernhardt-Zinke actions have done numerous questionable actions that have inspired the spike. Interior wants to decide if they need to respond to FOIA! And they want to apply “higher standards” to requests from journalists or researchers! This from an agency that has abandoned science concerning climate change & now has a political hack judging grant proposals! Is it legal for Interior to cutback FOIA on its own? Doesn’t seem to make sense. This is Bernhardt Opaque Dept that tries to hide everything—they need MORE transparency, not Less! Dems have asked for delay in changes but they should look into legality. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/01/25/stories/1060118633

Bernhardt-#19: BLM has abandoned compensatory mitigation arguing that it is “extortion” and illegal. A Fordham Environmental Law Review article by Justin Pidot devastates this new policy. It shows that there is no sound legal reasoning for this change—The Federal Land Management and Policy Act clearly does support such compensation. BLM took some material from a Wyoming regional solicitor with no sound reasoning to justify radical change that is a giveway to extractive industry. The article analyzes & 4 weak arguments made for the change & shows they have no merit. It demonstrates one more time that this Dept. of Interior & all of its agencies including BLM are nothing but pawns for energy industry. It will undoubtedly be overturned in court but how much harm will it do by then? For the full paper, see https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3307226

Bernhardt #18: Forest Service: Welfare Sheep Ranchers favored over Big Horn Sheep. The Forest Service has approved grazing of Welfare Rancher Sheep on Federal lands near where Big Horn ship graze despite science that shows the sheep can spread disease to the Big Horn. This again shows the perverted priorities of Bernhardt-Trump’s Interior Dept.—after energy industry, they care about welfare ranchers on Federal land—wildlife conservation be damned. See https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2019/01/24/stories/1060118539

Bernhardt #17: Where does Bernhardt stand on Fed. public lands giveaways? Sen. Barasso, Rob Bishop & others want to hand over public lands and/or their management entirely to states & exempt them Fed. Environment review. Where does energy industry lackey Bernhardt stand on ownership/management of public lands? At least we had a quote from Zinke that he would oppose handing over ownership to states but we now need to know Bernhardt’s position on this & environmental reviews. Time for Grijalva’s Committee to get a clear statement from opaque Bernhardt who never let’s anyone know what he is doing or who he is meeting with! For Barasso bill, see https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/01/25/stories/1060118571

ernhardt #16: What’s essential at Interior? Drilling U.S. offshore is their top priority. Interior is bringing back 40 employees to speed drilling Interior says “essential.” Previously said only 8 employees needed during shutdown but now changed to 84 mostly devoted to drilling. Bernhardt & his other energy lackey staff only care about energy companies, the environment, ocean, & public lands be damned. He is even LESS TRANSPARENT than Zinke. His single tweet was to kiss Donald Trump’s butt. Let’s get rid of this creep now! See https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2019/01/23/stories/1060118223

Excellent article by Wash Post shows that Trump cut in Utah Monuments to spur energy dev. Is a bust, that most want to preserve monuments & associated beauty, quality of life, & associated tour dollars. A few companies that previously showed interest have done nothing & are in trouble—coal development is a pipedream. “Local input” from Utah amounted to Orrin Hatch & Rob Bishop—not ordinary citizens nor Native Americans who opposed the cutback. Utah has already benefitted from purchase by Federal govt. of land for monuments in which they gained other Federal land & lots of money. In short, the article shows the cutback was due mainly to Trump’s spite wanting to destroy what Clinton & Obama had done & in response to few Utah politicians & their energy industry sponsors. See the article at https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2019/national/environment/will-anyone-mine-after-grand-staircase-escalante-reduction-by-trump/?utm_term=.367dc0d00c1f

Bernhardt #14: Bernhardt-Interior: use funds inappropriately for “high priority projects”—i.e., process drilling permits for Atlantic, hunting in national wildlife REFUGES (!) & keep public outrage down over park closures by illegally using monies from entrance fees & unexpended “carryover funds.” They claim to now be processing FOIA requests but that remains to be seen. They say they got approval from consulting the Office of the Solicitor at the Interior Department—but the Interior’s Inspector General’s Office is shutdown & this office is a rubber stamp for Bernhardt. The House Committee needs to hold Bernhardt & this office accountable for these actions. For documentation, see https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2019/01/22/stories/1060118095 & https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2019/01/22/stories/1060118091

Safari Club International: Killers of Threatened Species Sell Wares in Reno—Refuse to Allow Video-Camera coverage of illegal sales: The Safari Club dominates Interior’s International Wildlife Council including its Chair and 4 others of the 16 member Council. Recently, photos & videos taken by hidden cameras of Safari Club expo in Nevada showed numerous body products for sale from threatened species including elephants. The response of the Safari Club? They criticized “the unauthorized visit” by the Human Society. See details on expo at https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/01/21/stories/1060117961 & for Trump’s advisory council, see https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/01/21/stories/1060117961​Bernhardt #13: Trump-Wheeler-Bernhardt: Energy-Development First & Foremost, Dirty Water & Dirty Air, Everywhere! Trump-Wheeler’s analysis in its new rule to cut way back on protected wetlands is based on assumptions that states will continue to protect or even expand state level protections. See Greenwire’s analysis at https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/01/21/stories/1060117957Bernhardt’s proposed exploitation of Arctic National Wildlife outlines harms to environment & wildlife--& then ignores them. See BLM’s report where they admit these points (Ch. 3). In short, Trump-Wheeler-Bernhardt choose pollution & development over clean air and clean water every chance they get. I am sure that vast majority of the public strongly disagrees with their choices. But does the public realize what is happening? No, because the media don’t focus on substance! Instead, they devote 99.444% of their attention to the latest Mueller item!

Bernhardt #12: Untransparent Interior: Bernhardt stonewalling media has turned Interior into Dept of Opaqueness. Park Superintendents are not allowed to respond to media about park conditions. Only priority—try to hide info about harmful effects of shutdown—not safety, not conservation, Only Trump matters! See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/01/18/stories/1060117945BLM has refuses to release records on oil-gas exploitation of Chaco region in New Mexico & Office of Surface Mining won’t give info on decision to void rules that limit emissions of coal mines. https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/01/18/stories/1060117951

Energy Dominance Rules the Day in Senate Committee--conservation be damned! Murkowski staff names petroleum engineer & advisor to Sen. Barrasso as new staff for Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee. With Murkowski, chief instigator of drilling in Arctic in charge & top Dem. Sen. Manchin, coal & pipeline enthusiast in charge, we can be sure that conservation interests will never threaten priorities for energy dominance. See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/01/18/stories/1060117853

Hunters & Energy Still Rule in House despite midterms: Anyone hoping that Dems takeover of House would affect wildlife conservation policy has got to be dismayed. Dems proposed funding for Interior would prohibit regulation of lead bullets-tackle, listing of sage grouse, & allow agriculture to pollute water even as hunters nos. dwindle as does $ from excise tax on ammunition. This show how changing demographics & public opinion don’t matter—anti-conservation forces still in control & may well be for decades despite their disappearance as significant percent of population or economy. See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/01/18/stories/1060117881

Hmmh, big game hunters versus oil industry. Big Dilemma for Interior and Wyoming citizens. This would have been an excruciating decision for Zinke who liked big game (i.e., on his walls) but for Bernhardt, the oil company, lackey this is an easy choice! At least Zinke wanted at some point to be like Teddy R.--Bernhardt no way See High Country News, https://www.hcn.org/articles/wildlife-oil-and-gas-threaten-wyomings-ungulates

Bernhardt #10: Trump-Bernhardt: Keep Parks Open-user fees supposed to be for capital improvement projects, instead used to illegally keep parks open to support Trump shutdown. Neither Trump nor Bernhardt, both lackeys of the energy industry, care one damn about parks but they know public will not tolerate their shutdown—the public cares far more about parks-monuments than “oil dominance.” So they are keeping them open albeit without needed staff. In short, hypocrites & phonies once again & forever. See https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/01/16/stories/1060115369

Democrats Way Too Low a Bar for Interior Nominations: A recent report suggests that Democrats such as Raul Grijalva (NM) Jared Huffman (Cal.) are willing to accept Rob Bishop as a replacement for Ryan Zinke & Susan Combs as assistant secretary for policy, management and budget, justifying their support by stating that “You could do worse!” Their only reason offered is that they don’t have “the legal baggage” that those who are already. Their position is totally unacceptable to anyone who cares in the least for conservation. Bishop has been a consistent proponent for undermining the Endangered Species Act & also supports turning over Federal public lands to states. Combs has a terrible record undermining species protection in Texas that I have documented in my Wildlife Politics book (Cambridge University Press, 2017, p. 55). The ONLY DIFFERENCE between them and Zinke is that they are MORE CONSISTENTLY opposed to the ESA—in other words far worse for conservation. Before his nomination. Bishop has tried to defund the National Landscape Conservation system, supports the repeal system that allow states to overturn any Act of Congress, supports cutting Monuments & Antiquities Act that enables them. In other words, while Zinke claimed (falsely) to be a T. R. Republican, Bishop is the ANTI-Teddy Roosevelt Republican. In Texas, Rancher Combs handed over ESA protections to the oil industry & fellow ranchers. Her record on conservation could hardly be worse. How these Democrats can even suggest accepting these losers as replacements at Interior is beyond me! What the hell is going on here? I looked forward to Grijalva grilling Interior & USFWS over their anti-conservation policies & now they are willing to accept far worse! Upsetting to say the least! For details of Democratic comments, see https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/01/14/stories/1060111781

Bernhardt #8: Bernhardt’s Opaque Interior: Rather than trying to be transparent, Bernhardt & Interior try to keep their stinky actions hidden & strive to achieve non-transparency. He never uses email or commits anything to writing to avoid accountability for pandering to energy industry. Now his Park Service is “muzzling” its superintendents so they don’t report on terrible conditions in parks due to shutdown. It’s time to get rid of Bernhardt, Acting Director, who is Acting to harm parks & public lands. See https://www.eenews.net/stories/1060111453

Bernhardt #7: Bernhardt & Interior Dept is now ruled by long-temporary directors who have never received Congressional approval. Reasons for the delay? They are not qualified for their jobs—Susan Combs, e.g., is opposed to the Endangered Species Act but heads policy for the Dept. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2019/01/11/stories/1060111697

Bernhardt #6: One more sneaky Bernhardt Action: Keeping Parks open despite shutdown. Bernhardt realizes that Americans value parks—not oil wells in a world overflowing with excess oil—so he keeps parks open illegally threatening safety of visitors & wildlife. Of course no public pronouncements or reasoned defense of these actions by Bernhardt or his lackeys. He is one sneaky son-of-a-____. For documentation, see https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2019/01/11/stories/1060111729

Bernhardt #5: Sneaky Evildoer, trying to Drill more Alaska Lands under cover: Bernhardt, Acting (hope that he never becomes permanent), found money to hold meetings to drill Alaska despite shutdown. When asked how he did this, his response was vague. One more example of the Bernhardt approach, try to sneak things by while never making anything public, keeping everything hidden. You don’t get many (actually any so far?) TWEETS from Bernhardt but you can be assured that he is working evil to Interior & public lands every day. https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2019/01/11/stories/1060111733

Utah Republicans: Federal public lands belong to Utah selfish interests—not to all Americans! Sens. Lee & Romney pushing bill to prevent new national monuments without state approval. These 2 & other State Republican leaders don’t belong to the same party as Teddy Roosevelt! In 50 years, which will we regret more—not leasing more land for oil-gas-coal or preserving lands for wildlife-conservation-& enjoyment of American public? See details of their destructive proposal at https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/01/11/stories/1060111665

Bernhardt #4: Silent Killer of Wildlife & Environment: Bernhardt, Acting head of Interior, makes no pronouncements and tweets but he & his BLM are proceeding to destroy the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. BLM did an Environmental Impact Statement that proves very harmful impacts on wildlife. For example, In Chapter 3, page 111, it summarizers impacts on terrestrial mammals—they state there would be 12 Harmful Long-term Impacts. They also cite some “beneficial impacts” such as “early snowmelt due to dust deposition (great for animals!). They study 3 harmful alternatives (B,D, &D) but also list Alternative A which is to do nothing—Alternative A is far superior in every respect! See Volume 1 at https://eplanning.blm.gov/epl-front-office/projects/nepa/102555/164448/200585/Coastal_Plain_Draft_EIS_Volume_1.pdfDespite these harmful impacts BLM has documented, Bernhardt, the lackey of energy companies that he has worked for while in and out of government, wants to push forward with the most harmful options. In short, Zinke is gone but Bernhardt is here & he’s WORSE THAN ZINKE

Some hope at last! With Dems taking over House, there are some positive news such as plan to review of 1872 Mining Act that prioritizes mining over other public land uses & doesn’t allow royalties be paid by hardrock mining companies. Also calls for research on effects of coal mining stopped by Trump. Of course, Senate including Dem. Manchin loom but at least some light & perhaps news media will cover the harm being done by Trump-Bernhardt at Interior . See E&E News article at https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2019/01/08/stories/1060111181

Utah, Reveals Hypocrisy: Utah, the state whose politicos support destruction of monuments—prioritizes keeping National Parks open! Gov. Herbert says “we don’t like having to do it—The Federal government should be doing it.” Does this show that despite their consistent support of state-private takeover of public lands & politicians like Rob Bishop who want to destroy the Endangered Species Act (ESA), that their numbskull politicos realize that their well-being & the state’s health depends on NATIONAL PUBLIC FEDERAL conservation? No, I guess that’s expecting too much from these dopes! See Alan Blinder https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/24/us/shutdown-states-national-parks.html​

Post-Zinke Trump Department of Interior:

Bernhardt #2: Bernhardt, Zinke’s Deputy, who now appears to be Acting Sec. of Interior, has FAR more conflicts of interest than Zinke. He had to cancel speech on water issues in Colorado because it conflicted with his previous job with a law & lobbying firm that conflicted with actions to be taken by the Colorado River District. He represented Westlands Water District that seeks to weaken ESA—a position which Bernhardt has supported—one more example of him shelling for former clients. In short, his history reveals that he is an oily, disgusting creature straight out of the swamp. He should not be Acting Secretary, much less the permanent Secretary of Interior. See https://thinkprogress.org/interior-deputys-long-career-as-a-lobbyist-creates-headaches-for-departments-ethics-officials-20c5b902b8b0/

Below are 224 Reasons why Zinke deserved to be booted and why he was the Worst Secretary of Interior Ever.​ In his short term in office, Ryan Zinke has proven that he is the worst Secretary of Interior ever—far worse even than James Watts. He is undermining wildlife conservation—almost every day he takes some action that harms wildlife and those trying to preserve it. This terrible record has been achieved in just a few months and, unfortunately, he will be making additional attacks on wildlife conservation references supporting each point. Each new day brings more Zinke attacks on wildlife conservation & the environment so I am adding the most recent ones to the top of this list:

Reason 224: Zinke’s friends, Trophy hunters & NRA are appealing protections for grizzlies near Yellowstone Park—same area where they recently killed daughter of renowned wolf. It’s time for majority (surveys show this is fact) to reject this tiny but powerful pressure group. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2018/12/14/stories/1060109727

Reason 223: Zinke’s BLM to sell public land important to conservation to company that that harmed it without permission. Their logic? Since the company destroyed the public land, it is “difficult and uneconomic to manage.” Think about that—Zinke is willing to allow lease public lands to companies for exploitation & wans to do the same to ANWR. Then he uses the destruction of the quality of the pristine habitat as an excuse to sell it. See https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/blm-ryan-zinke-federal-land-sale-california-limestone-quarry_us_5c11a809e4b002a46c13f3f7

Reason 222: Zinke cares about Big Game Hunters--& Only about Big Game Hunters! In one of his tiny number of wildlife actions, Zinke's BLM is purchasing a thousand acres in Montana with $ from Land & Water Con. Fund to improve access to public lands for big-game hunters. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2018/12/11/stories/1060109317

Reason 220: Zinke’s willful ignoring of science: Interior will now open millions of sage grouse habitat to drilling. Scientific experts state that this policy is not based on “any science” & overturns a compromise reached by Fed., State agencies, industry, & conservation groups that took years to achieve. Indeed, this compromise is so fair that one conservative Republican state (Montana) reportedly intends to retain the Obama regulations. It is one more proof positive that Zinke doesn’t care in the least about the bird that he “loves more “than anybody.” In short, Zinke proves once again he is a bald-faced liar as well as destroyer of conservation & endangered species. For details, see https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/06/climate/trump-sage-grouse-oil.html?emc=edit_th_181207&nl=todaysheadlines&nlid=103654191207

Reason 219: Zinke-Murkowski Move to Destroy ANWR: NYT article details how combination of Zinke & oil industry execs working in Interior, Lisa Murkowski & Native Amer. Corporation s (ASRC)tanding to make billions are rushing to drill ANWR along with road-building, & are cutting way back on environmental impact analyses. As customary in Zinke Dept., Interior staff heading the effort have previously worked for the organizations that will benefit from the drilling. Many leaders & shareholders of ASRC are not Native Americans. Other Native American groups oppose the drilling. ASRC has donated heavily to Murkowski. In short, Zinke continues his SWAMPY decisions, ignoring conservation & environment, to benefit industry that has donated to him & whose employees he has put in place as high deputies. For detailed article in NYT, see https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/03/us/oil-drilling-arctic-national-wildlife-refuge.html?em_pos=medium&emc=edit_sc_20181204&nl=science-times&nl_art=4&nlid=10365419emc%3Dedit_sc_20181204&ref=headline&te=1

Reason 217: Zinke Advisory Boards Couldn’t Care Less About Conservation. His original Citizen Advisory Board quit—he never even met with them. His Intl. Wildlife Council is filled with trophy hunters. His new Advisory Board is composed of members who lack any commitment to conservation & wildlife—and are totally white and, of course, Republicans. Their supposed “qualifications” for this committee are in order: Republican Miss. Mayor who served Koch Brothers ALEC Council, member of Jesse Helms staff, member of Medical Services industry, member with “Business Management & Private Sector Experience, member with Business Development & “private sector experience,” member with “Business Development & Private Sector experience, Psychologist, member from Medicine, Seller of Anheuser Busch products, a specialist in entrepreneurship, & Business Development and Private Sector experience. See the full details at https://www.nps.gov/resources/advisoryboardmembers.htm

Reason 216: Zinke Ethics Report #2: Zinke’s staff dominated by extractive ind. Officials (See Reason #22). Early count total 21 from industry-Drain the Swamp???—Bull____! He sold vehicle at low cost violating ethics & has abused travel as Sec. taking unnecessary expensive helicopter flights (Reason #45). He took huge $ from extractive as Cong. (Reason 33). His PAC used unethical acts to get donations from small donors—his PAC formerly headed by Exec. Who was guilty of child pornography! (Reason 41).

Reason 215: Zinke-Trump versus Republican G.H.W. Bush Administrations: I just read note of how H.W. Bush promised “no net loss of wetlands” as a goal. Contrast with Zinke-Trump: Maximize Energy Dominance Via Turnover of Public Lands to Oil-Gas-Coal-Cows. Sad—Many Republicans used to care about conservation. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2018/12/03/stories/1060108603

Reason 214: Zinke, Listen Up You Dope: The real story on Cal. Forest fires: lack of prescribed burns allowing growth of small trees—logging is not a solution—Logging takes the bigger trees. 40% forests are private land. Another major problem: More & more people want to live near the wooded land putting them at risk from nature fires plus most fires are now have human causes. Finally, climate change has had major impact. So, next time you “advise” that other famous ignoramus (Trump) on fires, provide him facts, not fiction. See documentation for these points in New York Times Magazine article by Ngu & Chinoy at https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/11/29/opinion/sunday/california-wildfires-forest-management.html

Reason #213: Zinke ethics report #2: Zinke removed a hurdle for controversial Mojave Desert Cadiz project which his Deputy Sec. will benefit from (See Reason 36), Zinke lied about claims for energy production (#28), Zinke received 350K in last 2 years in Congress from Energy industry (Reason 33). For Documentation: See #213 at https://www.wildlifepolitics.org/blog

Reason 212: Zinke versus Science & Ethics Report #1: like Trump, Zinke denies climate change while Scientists in Trump Administration issue report demonstrating it & harmful effects it will have. This is the same Zinke who purports to be an expert on forest fires. 75% of his employees say they are unable to make decisions due to “political considerations” (see Reason 182 for details). Example: his staff ignored science-based info on threat to Pacific Fishers in order to cater to industry (see Reason 169 for details). He ignored scientific data in drawing back on Migratory Bird Treaty Act—again due to energy industry (see Reason 156). He forces U.S. Geological Survey scientists to get approval before talking with reporters because Zinke doesn’t like to see his lies contradicted by facts (see Reason 129). Zinke halted study into link between surface mining & health and says Interior will no longer use science-based “guidance documents” to carry out laws (see Reason 124). Zinke’s BLM blocked their archaeologists from speaking at science conference--from testifying problems of leasing lands rich in archaeology & failure to protect cultural resources valued by tribes (see Reason 114). Zinke has altered scientific reports to omit human role in climate change, unprecedented political interference in government science at the Interior Department, which oversees the park service (see Reason 109). Zinke’s rushed to turn over public lands to oil-gas-coal ignored science & NEPA (See Reason 87). Zinke ignored science in favor of politics in giving grants…Interior now funnels grants through a political screening intended to ensure the federal dollars "better align" with the administration's "priorities" (see Reason 74). Zinke ignored science in revoking mitigation policies to compensate for harm done to the environment (See Reason 70). Zinke’s Department ordered the National Academies study on the safety of offshore drilling to be stopped (See Reason 66). Zinke punished Interior Department employees for making science-based statements about the harm that climate change will wreak on national parks (See Reason 64). Zinke is opening BLM to more ORV use in sensitive areas which threatens archeological sites but is also very harmful to wildlife as has been proven by scientific research (See Reason 24). Zinke focused on sage grouse populations instead of habitat conservation and proposes using captive breeding to support sage grouse—both approaches are discredited by science (see Reason 8).

Reason 209: Zinke Lead bullets & Lead in his head: One of the first actions of Ryan Zinke was to allow lead bullets on Federal land—an action banned by the Obama Admin. Evidence continues to mount about the harmful conservation & health effects of lead bullets. This is one more example of Zinke ignoring science, demonstrating his stupidity & subordination to the gun lobby. See Ian Urbina A Clean Shot: Urging Hunters to Try Unleaded Ammo. New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/24/us/ammunition-lead-bullets-condors.html

Reason 206: Interior Department versus Transparency: Zinke has tried to keep his calendar secret to cover up his unethical meetings with energy companies. His deputy (& likely successor) David Bernhardt never uses email & never writes anything down in order to avoid scrutiny & accountability. We need the new House Committee on Natural Resources to conduct detailed investigations in which they put Zinke (if he is still around) and Bernhardt under oath for detailed questioning that will be required to reveal their ethical & legal transgressions for energy & other clienteles. See interview with Joel Clement at https://medium.com/westwise/joel-clement-interior-whistleblower-podcast-interview-db219d9a1a3a

Reason 204: Zinke has often spoken about Native Americans & tries to make it seem like he cares about them. But when their interests collide with Energy—Energy wins at it did when Trump-Zinke revoked Northern Bering Sea Protection that had been pushed for by tribal leaders—the Bering Sea Elders. See http://www.nomenugget.com/news/trump-issues-executive-order-revoking-northern-bering-sea-protection-and-tribal-participation

Reason 200: Zinke is overturning Federal regulations & ethical norms concerning predator control in Alaska. Former Alaskan Governor Tony Knowles described Zinke’s plan: attempting to rescind these regulations: "This is being done with no legal and scientific basis, minimal stakeholder involvement, and a hasty public process. One hundred and eight scientists, current and retired wildlife and resource managers, and many of the nation’s large carnivore experts, most with extensive experience in Alaska, have joined in sending a letter to Zinke adamantly opposing his action." Please read the article below & use its link to comment on Zinke’s latest horror. See https://www.hcn.org/articles/opinion-interior-is-undoing-a-legacy-of-national-park-stewardship-in-alaska-predator-control?utm_source=wcn1&utm_medium=email

Reason 197: Zinke’s finally getting just deserts—Justice to investigate him, Conn. sues Interior, Senators question why Zinke unable to fill advisory panels. In other words, the World is finally recognizing that he is not only unethical but incompetent. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2018/10/31/stories/1060104827https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2018/10/31/stories/1060104825

Reason 194: Zinke’s rush to lease Federal lands for short-term profits to energy companies results over long term, vistas of oil rigs, pollution of air, destruction of species like sage grouse, and huge consumption of water in arid region. He is squandering public land & doing this by cutting requirements for careful study of environmental effects & ability to challenge them. Short-term gains for long-term devastation of public lands and wildlife—that’s the Zinke-Trump way. See New York Times story at https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/27/climate/trump-fracking-drilling-oil-gas.html

Reason 193: Greenwire reports a big morale drop at Interior. This blog already detailed why this occurred in Reason 182—professionals think politics is dominating decisions & they are not allowed to communicate with the public. Indeed, if you check out the 192 reasons below, you will see that anyone who cares about conservation, the environment, wildlife, public lands, and oceans would despair working for someone who only cares about making his energy, ranching, & trophy hunters happy. Although Trump will nominate another loser, it’s time for accountability of Zinke’s terrible actions & thus for this liar to go. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2018/10/26/stories/1060104513

Reason 192: Zinke appoints “The Worst of the Worst”: Zinke appointed Karen Budd-Falen as “Solicitor for wildlife and parks.” Her qualifications? She holds that grazing livestock on public lands is “a private property right” & tough if there are any negative effects on wildlife & biodiversity. She supports miner who bulldozed wilderness area & landowners who did not believe they had to follow tag limits because this was “unconstitutional limits” on their right to property. In other words, forget about conservation, property rights trump protections for public lands & species. The Worst of the Worst. See https://www.hcn.org/articles/sagebrush-rebellion-sagebrush-rebel-karen-budd-falen-appointed-to-interior-department?utm_source=wcn1&utm_medium=email

Reason 191: Zinke’s USFWS is failing in its job to protect species. Why? Zinke’s top priority is energy company support & protections for any species could threaten that priority. His second priority is for developers—especially those with ties to Zinke and/or other wealthy Republicans. His third priority is trophy hunting—his few wildlife actions have all been to provide access for trophy hunters & some protection for migrating big game species. A Center for Biological Diversity analysis shows Zinke is withholding protection for 78 species. Non-game species—mean nothing to Zinke and apparently to any other USFWS employees. It is incumbent on reporters to ask Zinke USFWS appointees (e.g., Skipwith) what they have done for such species! Skipwith wants to compete with Teddy Roosevelt for protection of species! She is now working for a Department that is doing for wildlife what Hitler did for Jews! See https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/news/press_releases/2018/endangered-species-10-18-2018.php/?utm_source=eeo&utm_medium=email

Reason 189: Zinke’s cutting Sage Grouse Habitat is illegal. A Federal judge just ruled that BLM must stop oil-gas leases on 1000s acres! He’s not as happy with Zinke End. Species policy as Skipwith--his new pick for USFWS (see below). As you know, Zinke abrogated a compromise worked out over several years by Federal, state, energy sector, and conservationists merely to please the energy industry. T.R. Republican! B.S.!!! See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2018/10/24/stories/1060104215

Reason 188: Zinke nominates another industry hack to head USFWS. Aurelia Skipwith’s statement of acceptance stated that she wanted to “ensure implementation of …Zinke’s policies to protect species…ensure science..at forefront..achieving a legacy second only to President Teddy Roosevelt.”!!! Does she live in this universe? See 187 reasons below why Zinke is the antithesis of Teddy Roosevelt, has NO interest in saving species except for TROPHIES. He has banned climate change from Interior discussions. She starts off her “career” as competing for the TOP LIAR of Zinke’s very dishonest staff! See https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/412660-trump-to-nominate-former-monsanto-exec-to-top-interior-position

Reason 185: Zinke is a Dope. His idea of using military bases to supply energy for export has been exposed as “harebrained” and “half-cocked” by knowledgeable officials. They derided the idea of exporting coal when demand for it is expected to fall drastically. Even energy industry officials characterized the idea as “stretch.” Furthermore, Zinke has not consulted with states about this harebrained idea—funny when he criticized Obama for pushing Federal policies onto states without consultation. In short, Zinke has proven once more that he is incompetent—witness Congress’s total rejection of his proposed Interior budget cuts & states resistance to his wish to drill in U.S. coastal areas. In short, he is a dope who lucked into a job because he once happened to say he was a “Teddy Roosevelt Republican” and supported public lands—both of which he has proven to be HUGE lies. For documentation of his harebrained military base scheme, see https://www.politico.com/story/2018/10/15/zinke-energy-export-plan-848856

Reason 184: Zinke keeps his calendar vague to cover up his meetings with lobbyists representing energy industry corporations, the NRA and private vendors seeking to dominate public parks. This goes against the common and ETHICAL PRACTICE of providing detailed calendars and once again proves that Zinke is not fit for any office & certainly one that is supposed to protect public lands & wildlife. See https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/13/politics/ryan-zinke-calendars-interior-secretary/index.html

Reason 183: Count on Zinke to hire the Worst! He just appointed Karen Budd-Falen as “Solicitor for Parks & Wildlife.” Her qualifications: She represents welfare ranchers in their fight against preservation of species such as the desert tortoise & favors private property rights. In other words, she opposes conservation & public lands. One more example of Zinke-Trump handing over government to people who oppose the functions they are supposed to be carrying out. Impeach Zinke! Impeach the creep!—I don’t think there is any other language to describe him. For documentation, See https://www.npr.org/2018/10/15/657542759/critic-of-federal-public-lands-management-to-join-department-of-the-interior

Reason 182: Interior employees say that politics is dominating Zinke-Interior actions. 55 percent believe that “resource allocations” are directed away from those whose work is “politically contentious” such as those that that threaten powerful interests like energy industry and developers. 50 percent say that their ability to communicate with the public about science has worsened under Zinke. 75 percent agree that “consideration of political interests” has hindered the ability of the agency to make “science-based decisions.” See https://www.ucsusa.org/center-science-and-democracy/promoting-scientific-integrity/scientist-survey-2018#.W79so2hKiUn

Reason 180: Zinke has ordered Interior “not to settle” with environmental groups when they sue the agency over their failure to protect species and habitat. They argue envmntal groups are “lawsuit crazy” but the truth is that these groups usually WIN those suits because Interior has failed to act as they were supposed to. This action will delay needed steps to protect species & habitat and is being done for two reasons: (1) It will delay actions that could impose costs on developers & industry that Zinke gives top priority to; (2) They will make it harder for these cash-strapped small groups to bring actions while opponents of protecting species & habitat, wealthy energy companies & developers have tons of money to pursue endless court actions. See https://www.hcn.org/articles/department-of-interior-issues-order-to-avoid-settlements-environment

Reason 177: One of Zinke’s first actions was to open public lands to use of lead bullets—overturning previous regulations while not disclosing his ownership of shares in a company that produces the ammunition. Research by Univ. of Minn. Found that 90 percent of raptors in their rehab center had elevated lead levels & 75% of bald & golden eagles suffer from high lead levels. Significant percentages of game birds in Utah & elsewhere have elevated lead levels. Non-lead ammo & fishing gear are now easily available, not much more expensive than lead gear, & perform as well or better. As usual, Zinke & NRA crazies can’t abide ANY RESTRICTIONS on guns or ammo. One more key fact: as a result of lead ammo & fishing gear, lead is showing up in human food. See documentation at https://www.hcn.org/articles/opinion-hunters-and-anglers-need-to-get-the-lead-out?utm_source=wcn1&utm_medium=email

Reason 176: Zinke & his Industry Minions in Interior “redact” information that disproves their reasons for cutting Marine Preservation Areas (MPAs) and National Monuments. Forced to respond to Freedom of Information Requests, they were forced to release documents that showed that harm to fishing industry was highly exaggerated from MPAs and that loss of archaeologically valuable sites and increased vandalism would occur due to cutting the monument. Interior wrote proclamations scuttling ocean sites. See Jennifer Yachnin, E&E News reporter https://www.eenews.net/stories/1060090197

Reason 172: Zinke’s Interior Department does not take necessary steps to protect public lands & rivers even if they are important. Oregon Chetco River runs through or near Kalmiopsis Wilderness. Oregon has tried to have the river protected but Zinke & Republicans in Congress never did anything so the river now will be open to mining. No formal statement has been made by Zinke but his consistent favoring of oil-gas-mining on or near beautiful Federal lands makes clear his priorities—they don’t include protecting public lands, rivers, oceans even if they are beautiful. See https://www.hcn.org/articles/rivers-and-lakes-on-one-of-oregons-wildest-rivers-mining-protections-lapse

Reason 170: Zinke wants to destroy conservation in Samoa, too: Not content to attacking national monuments like Bears Ears at home, Zinke was heard on his recent trip to Samoa telling them that he & Trump were committed to opening the Rose Atoll Marine National Monument to commercial fishing—violating rules that make these monuments protective of fish & biodiversity. No matter where he goes, you can count on Zinke to do harm to conservation. See https://www.saipantribune.com/index.php/something-is-fishy-with-zinke/

Reason 168: In his never-ending quest to sacrifice the environment so as to reduce costs to the energy industry, Zinke’s Interior Department’s Bureau of “Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE)” (italicized to indicate this is now a false name for this agency—under Zinke’s it’s no longer dedicated to safety and enforcement but should be renamed “Bureau of Submission to Energy Company Desires”!) will remove “the mandate to have 3rd parties certify safety devices”—they will allow oil companies to “police themselves.” They will also no longer have to notify about “false alarms.” This shows once more that the Interior Department no longer serves the U.S. public—it’s now run by ex-energy company employees for the benefit of the energy industry. See https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/408727-trump-officials-ease-offshore-drilling-safety-rule

Reason 166: News outlets report how Ryan Zinke told oil and gas industry: “Our government should work for you.” He tried to “clarify the meaning of this statement” but this is actually not news and not a surprise—he has proven it every day! All of Zinke’s top policy appointments have been to energy-ranching interests. Every major action he has taken is for energy-ranching-trophy hunting. For the “quote,” see https://www.vox.com/2018/9/21/17886538/ryan-zinke-interior-oil-gas-industry-environment

Reason 163: Once again Zinke serves the oil-gas-coal industry, not the U.S. public. Zinke rolls back rules on methane. Obama rules would have reduced methane emissions by 182,000 tons a year. Zinke rejects science and evidence for climate-change which is harming many communities in the U.S. The change by Trump could save companies as much as $2 billion in compliance costs over the next decade. The change could also result in the loss of $734 million in natural gas that would have been recovered over the next decade under the old rule. Those savings would have offset some of the industry's compliance costs. An estimated $330 million a year in methane is wasted on federal lands, enough to power about 5 million homes. See https://phys.org/news/2018-09-trump-pollution-drilling.html

Reason 161: After putting up trophies of dead animals costing taxpayers thousands of dollars, Zinke opened up hunting at National Wildlife Refuges around the country. These are supposed to be WILDLIFE REFUGES, not Hunting Farms! Let’s get rid of this mindless trophy hunter.

Reason 158: Zinke hands over wildlife to states—USFWS professionals & Endangered Species Act don’t matter anymore. EE news reports today that Individual states will wield more clout over fish and wildlife on about 780,000 square miles of Interior Department land nationwide under a new policy outlined by Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke. This follows his appointment of Anti-ESA to top staff positions, Susan Combs and Robert Gordon. States will do what they want—which in many states is make developers, industry, and ranchers happy. Wildlife & those concerned about them? Zinke doesn’t only not care—he is attacking them every chance he gets. For documentation, see https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2018/09/11/stories/1060096521

​Reason 157: Zinke is intent on destroying the End. Species Act. He previously hired Susan Combs, who led the Texas attack on ESA. Now he hires as her asst. Robert Gordon, an anti-ESA hack, who has worked for Heritage (anti-ESA org.) and Rob Bishop, author of much anti-ESA legislation. Rather than defend wildlife conservation, he is doing everything possible to undermine and destroy the Act which has served as the guidepost for saving species throughout the World. Zinke is a real and present danger to anyone who cares about public lands & conservation. For Gordon’s details, see http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/405146-zinke-hires-endangered-species-act-critic-for-senior-post

Reason 156: Zinke’s Interior is destroying the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. They are no longer prohibiting killing of birds if “the underlying purpose is not to take birds.” Even more so, they say that a disaster as big as Deepwater Horizon would not prosecuted under the Act—they would use another laws not specific to birds. In short, Zinke is undermining a law that almost dates back to the Teddy R. Admin. One more example of his pusillanimous backtracking on protection of birds & wildlife. This is not a partisan issue—8 states are taking the Admin. to court over the action and 4 of them are headed by Republican attorney generals. See https://www.washingtonpost.com/science/2018/09/05/eight-states-are-fighting-trumps-attempt-declaw-migratory-bird-treaty/?utm_term=.bbe6731b6cfa

Reason 155: Zinke promised transparency but delivers secrecy about who he is meeting with for what reasons. His calendars for his activities since May 2018 have provided only vague words about “internal briefings” and “external meetings.” Previous actions show that when Zinke fails to mention who he is meeting with, it is industry lobbyists. For example, in July his schedule said he met with Rep. Collins of New York but subsequently discovered that he also met with representatives of a tourism company “locked in a lawsuit” with Interior. No doubt these vague meetings are with his favorite industries (energy, welfare ranchers, trophy hunters, and private tourism companies that want to take over National Parks) as he doles out more goodies & favors to them. See https://www.cnn.com/2018/09/06/politics/interior-secretary-ryan-zinke-calendars-details-missing/index.html

Reason 154: Zinke nominates coal industry consultant & climate denier to head agency to monitor mines. Fortunately, the Office of Government Ethics raised ethical issues that J. Steven Gardner was unable to accept. Unfortunately, Zinke’s Interior Department has already “done away with that federal regulation, which sought to reign in coal mining operations in order to protect residents in vulnerable areas like Appalachia from documented health and environmental ramifications.” In short, not only does Zinke work against conservation, but also against the health of U.S. citizens. Some patriot! See https://thinkprogress.org/climate-denier-interior-mining-nomation-eadd7d82c1e8/

Reason 153: Zinke continues to appoint energy industry patrons to policymaking positions. His staff is totally populated with energy (and some ranchers). Zinke found another top staff person to his tastes, Greg Renkes, who had to resign as Alaska Atty General due to ethical questions about making a deal that benefited a coal company he owned stock in. He knows these people will be loyal—to the energy industry. See https://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/06/us/alaskas-attorney-general-stepping-down.html

Reason 152: Zinke works for energy industry—they reward him & his staff with jobs when they leave Interior in return for policies sacrificing public lands & oceans to industry desires. His ex-energy adviser just took a job in offshore drilling. The Swamp of oil-gas-coal industry thanks Zinke again for his highly profitable service to them--quite a change from Obama era when Interior worried about conservation, public lands & clean oceans. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2018/09/04/stories/1060095725

Reason 151: The Swamp is Worse than ever with Zinke in Charge. His appointees are nothing but lackeys for the industries they represent. Susan Combs represents ranchers & did her best to kill endangered species in Texas and let the oil-gas industry monitor their own compliance with rules protecting species such as the Sage Dunes Lizard. She took over Endangered Species protection in Texas with her Comptroller Department despite it having no expertise on conserving species at all. David Bernhardt, his Deputy Secretary, is an oil-gas lobbyist who goes back & forth between industry & government, handing out favors to industry. His recently departed “Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy,” Downey Magallanes, is the daughter of a coal policy executive and worked to provide benefits to oil & gas industries as a Senate Staffer. She is now being replaced by Kate McGregor who likewise has made a career serving the oil-gas-coal industries as a staffer on the Hill. In other words, Zinke’s Interior officials go back & forth between industry and government jobs—where they push policies favoring industry. This is the essence of the Swamp behavior which (supposedly) Donald Trump opposes. For documentation, see https://departmentofinfluence.org/person/downey-magallanes/https://departmentofinfluence.org/person/susan-combs/https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2018/07/30/stories/1060091613 & ​​https://departmentofinfluence.org/person/david-bernhardt/

Reason 150: Zinke ignores both local and national “democratic” input and solid empirical evidence on superior benefits of monuments and conservation. Example: When he considered the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National (OMDP) Monument, he admitted that comments were overwhelmingly in favor of retaining monuments but ignored them because they were “orchestrated.” But Zinke orchestrates private meetings with oil-gas-coal-welfare rancher industries & adopts policy to satisfy their interests religiously. He skipped a National Monument Hall meeting packed with monument supporters. As has been shown in documents, his analysis of Bears Ears and other monuments ignored the major economic benefits gained by existence of monuments. His home state’s economic growth has been dominated by 5 countries growing quickly because they are nearby monuments. The western arid country public lands rancher industry that Zinke panders too is pathetic, unimportant to the nation’s meat production, unproductive, and would not exist without Federal subsidies. In recent days, information has surfaced that Zinke & his industry appointee (David Bernhardt) had to reverse a BLM decision to sell public land that was once protected inside the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. How did that decision happen? Well, since his appointment, BLM & the rest of Interior have learned that he kowtows to industry and, indeed, the decision was only changed after it got out & created an uproar. In short, Zinke ignores input and a mountain of evidence that monuments & conservation are economically superior to exploitation by the extractive and welfare rancher industries. For documentation on OMDP, see https://www.lcsun-news.com/story/news/local/2017/08/24/las-cruces-area-leaders-decry-zinke-summary-await-organ-mountains-desert-peaks-national-monument/600042001/ (2) For data on Montana economic growth, see https://headwaterseconomics.org/economic-development/trends-performance/montanas-economy-and-protected-lands/ (3) For documentation of his “reversal” on sale, see https://www.washingtonpost.com/energy-environment/2018/08/18/second-thought-zinke-nixes-interiors-plan-possibly-sell-public-land/?utm_term=.0dc2e4590594&wpisrc=nl_green&wpmm=1​

Reason 148: Conservation and preservation don’t hurt economies—they help them—perhaps too much! Zinke & Trump Admin. have fostered a false campaign that environmental protections hurt the economy and residents who live near protected areas. Actually, there is a mass of evidence to show that quite the contrary is true: areas near protected areas gain economically from them. I have documented these in my Wildlife Politics book but 2 recent studies show the same truth. Development has occurred in Southwestern Utah near protected monuments and parks because people want to live there & new industries want to locate there. Indeed, San Juan County in southeastern Utah has complained about national monuments within its borders but are launching a new campaign by local officials to take advantage of these designated areas to help fuel the local economy. Indeed, development near protected areas throughout the world threatens the protection of wildlife and this is a fact not just in the U.S. but around the world as I document in Wildlife Politics. In short, Zinke & Trump’s campaign against conservation and environmental protection is based on a totally false premise—they help the long-term growth of the U.S. Yet, they are continuing to push on all fronts to undermine them through weakening the National Environmental Protection Act (which forces careful consideration before development), the Endangered Species Act, the Magnuson-Stevens Act (which protected against overfishing), expanding unproductive welfare ranching on public lands (which destroy the quality of the lands while providing wasteful subsidies to a very small largely well-to-do “ranchers,” allowing exploitation of public lands by extractive industries while lowering the revenues to be obtained from them. In short, Zinke-Trump are doing everything possible to provide short-term gains for selfish interests which will harm the long-term quality and economy of the nation. For recent documentation of the relationship between conservation & economic growth, see: https://www.hcn.org/issues/50.14/growth-and-sustainability-in-southwestern-utah-unceasing-growth-means-increased-tension/print_view& https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2018/08/20/stories/1060094727​

Reason 147: Zinke is totally committed to energy dominance—he regards conservationists as “terrorists.” Not long ago, Zinke excited some “green groups” that he would be “pivoting to conservation” after spending the first year plus devoted to energy dominance & welfare ranching. He was sensitive about the contradiction between calling himself a “TR Republican.” In the period since then, he has doubled down on his total devotion to energy dominance and welfare ranching. At a recent conference, he called “conservationists” terrorists—so that is what he really thinks about Teddy R! His solution to wild fires—logging forests and having cows graze even more public lands. This is from the man who heads the Department that contains the Forest Service, National Parks Service, and Fish and Wildlife Service. Conservation has not only been abandoned by him—it is under constant attack from him & his extraction-rancher industry appointees. There is no alternative to preserve conservation but to remove this jackass from office. For account of his vision of “cows munching” and drilling of public lands, see https://www.hcn.org/articles/politics-as-ethics-questions-swirl-zinke-knows-how-to-work-a-crowd?utm_source=wcn1&utm_medium=email

Reason 146: Zinke & Republicans: Destroying National Parks, National Wildlife Refuges, & Public Lands. First, Cong. Republicans & Zinke allowed hunters in National Wildlife Refuges to kill wolf & grizzly cubs in their dens. Zinke wants the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge drilled. Now Cong. Republicans & Supreme Court want hovercraft in National Parks. This is Zinke-Trump-Don Young style “New Federalism”—the right of slob hunters & industries to kill & destroy wildlife & wilderness regardless of whether it is supposed to belong to the U.S. public. See doc. in previous Reasons for Killing in wildlife refuges & ANWR drilling—for hovercraft case see https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/2018/06/18/u-s-supreme-court-agrees-to-reconsider-case-of-alaska-moose-hunter-and-his-hovercraft/

Reason 145: Zinke & Interior Out to “Update” Endangered Species Act (ESA): Translation from “Republicanese” to Real English: They want to destroy it. Today’s Washington Post has opinion piece by energy lobbyist, David Bernhardt (now Zinke’s Deputy Secretary!) about how they will weaken protections on endangered species because, like patients in a hospital, they don’t need ongoing care. This is a false analogy for many if not most endangered species. Threats to their habitat are steady growing as population and development inexorably increases and a large percentage will require protections forever. They want to put “cost benefit” calculations into the determination of whether to save species which would undermine the incentives for developers, ranchers, and other selfish interests to create habitat conservation plans and reach compromises over protection of species like the sage grouse. Interior already has scrapped the Sage Grouse compromise which was a perfect example of the positive impacts of the ESA. Indeed, an ESA “updated” like the Republicans & Interior want would render the USFWS a “nothing agency”—states & local governments dominated by selfish local interests would do what they want with public lands and species. Professionals in USFWS should protest but either they have been forced out or resigned in protest or are afraid to speak up against Zinke-Bernhardt who believe that Interior’s main purposes are “energy dominance” and making welfare ranchers and trophy hunters happy. See Bernhardt’s “opinion” (i.e., unspeakable garbage) piece at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/at-interior-were-ready-to-bring-the-endangered-species-act-up-to-date/2018/08/09/2775cd8e-9a96-11e8-b55e-5002300ef004_story.html?utm_term=.3121b88d5c9b&wpisrc=nl_headlines&wpmm=1

Reason 144: Zinke hires the Worst such as naming Andrea Travnicek to oversee USFWS & NPS. She’s a lobbyist for coal and gas—thus he puts in charge people with interests OPPOSED to what they are supposed to do—conservation of species & public lands. See https://departmentofinfluence.org/person/andrea-travnicek/

Reason 136: Zinke threatens to make the ESA a meaningless law. The very essence of the ESA is that conservation of species is a crucial value that should not be traded for profits by developers & state-local officials. Without that provision, the ESA becomes a meaningless law & selfish interests will do what they want. It also will make the USFWS a nothing agency. Any professional conservationist in USFWS should protest this change and resign in protest if it is not reversed.

Reason 133: Zinke is selling out public lands for lowered royalty rates from oil-gas-coal. Royalty rates haven’t increased for decades but Zinke is LOWERING them even further. Zinke revoked policy to follow science on climate change effects. Actually, the exploitation of lands is so unproductive that energy industry has failed to respond to lowered royalty rates & proposed sales. Zinke ignores any consideration of conservation in decisions—only energy dominance & amount extracted matter. See the article by Zack Colman at https://www.revealnews.org/article/trump-dreams-about-a-new-energy-boom-oil-leases-could-cover-this-mountain-valley/

Reason 132: Zinke’s Cabinet, like him, consistently violate ethical rules Story by Huffpost shows Benjamin Cassidy, former NRA lobbyist, taking part in Interior decisions that he had previously lobbied for. Likewise, his aide Todd Wynn scheduled meetings with his former corporation and Masburn attended events hosted by her former employer, Heritage Foundation. Finally, his Deputy, Bernhart met with Casino outfit represented by his former employer. Shows how an unethical leader like Ryan Zinke, hires personnel who replicate his “stinky” behavior. See https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/benjamin-cassidy-nra-interior-department_us_5b3fa5e9e4b05127ccf1bb2b

Reason 130: Zinke’s Interior Dept. brags about opening 10 Million Acres of Federal land to mining. It states that it is focusing on “economic development.” They say that “Federal lands belong “to every citizen” but Zinke cares only about mining industries & those citizens who will directly benefit from them. Most citizens favor protecting public lands for future generations but Not Zinke & Trump. The funds that pay for Interior Department comes from ALL STATES—those containing the public lands that Zinke is handing over to industry pay a MINORITY of the taxes that support his Department.

Reason 128: Zinke fires professionals & hires lackeys: Zinke puts top Interior jobs in hands of those who support his (only priorities): oil, gas, coal, welfare ranchers, & trophy hunters. This is illustrated once again by his appointment of Dan Smith to replace Dan Wenk as Supt. Of Yellowstone. Wenk was unpopular with The Montana Group, Repub. lobbying org. that contributed to Zinke’s campaigns. They opposed free-roaming bison. Smith with an undistinguished career’s main “main achievement” was to “orchestrate” Wenk’s “reassignment” away from Yellowstone. See https://medium.com/westwise/former-yellowstone-chief-slams-secretary-zinkes-ousting-of-respected-yellowstone-superintendent-e28e21b93017

Reason 126: What Zinke Cares About: Zinke never met with his Advisory group that was concerned with conservation but he is meeting again with his “Wildlife Conservation Council” dominated by trophy hunters. He knows what his priorities are: Killing trophy animals up at the top. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2018/06/18/stories/1060084913

Reason 122: Zinke only wildlife concern is for trophy hunters. He loosened regs in Alaska such as use of blinding lights, baiting, dogs, killing pups in dens, indiscriminate traps & snares, despite overwhelming public opposition but then Zinke doesn’t care about public opinion-only trophy hunters. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2018/05/25/stories/1060082775

Reason 120: By time Zinke “pivots” to conservation, he will have destroyed public lands & oceans. He has cuts National Monuments, destroyed agreement to save the sage grouse and the Migratory Bird Act, opened Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to drilling, undermined protections against harm to public lands, and opened the entire U.S. coasts to drilling, just to name a few of his misdeeds. For sage grouse,see https://www.hcn.org/articles/endangered-species-sage-grouse-shake-up-alienates-conservationists?utm_source=wcn1&utm_medium=emailFor migratory, see Reason 76. For Bears Ears, see 60. For drilling on land, see 59, for drilling on coasts, see 66 & 69 among others. In short, “conservation” for Zinke is opening up U.S. public lands and waters to Donald Trump & his wealthy friends.

Reason 119: Zinke thinks that the purpose of National Wildlife Refuges is to provide trophy hunters more killing opportunities. For example, he is opening up a Refuge in Philadelphia to bow hunters. His only mentions of wildlife during his term in office concerns using them as trophies. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2018/05/22/stories/1060082361

Reason 118: Zinke’s Desperate & False Move to Restore Credibility: After a full year of not only IGNORING conservation but taking numerous steps to undermine conservation and wildlife, Ryan Zinke just met with a number of “green organizations” and announced that he would change his focus “over the next few years” from energy towards conservation. Why his Ryan Zinke doing this? Congress and the public concerned with conservation have been disgusted by his anti-conservation moves. Proof? Zinke tried to make HUGE cuts to the regular Interior Department budget but the Republican Congress rejected his cutbacks. Now he needs support from Congress and especially environmental organizations to achieve his proposed reorganization for Interior—a major purpose of which is to “streamline [translation: undermine] the National Environmental Protection Act” and ease rules on permitting! Somehow he found 17.5 Million dollars in his proposed budget for this reorg. But his credibility is ZERO with environmental orgs.

Consequently, he is desperately trying to entice support. How? He makes a vague proposal to set up an “advisory group” to advise him on the reorganization. Reportedly many of the attending orgs. liked the idea of being on the Advisory group. Although I understand why green orgs are desperate to get input and be able to tell their donors that they have “access to Zinke”, it’s a huge mistake to coddle up to Zinke who’s only interested in support for reorg.—not conservation. He ignored previous advisory groups so completely, they resigned in protest.

I suggest this to the environmental organizations: Agree to participate ONLY IF Zinke reverses the many harmful actions he has taken such as: (1) Reinstate the full Bears Ears Monument; (2) Get rid of anti-conservation staff such as rancher Susan Combs who hates the Endangered Species Act; (3) Reverse the decision to drill in coastal waters; (4) Support environmental regulations such as those to reduce Methane that he is trying to gut; (5) Make sure that oil-gas-coal development on public lands conform to existing NEPA rules that he is trying to undermine; (6) Ban use of lead ammunition on public lands—he cut regs on them; (7) Eliminate the International Wildlife advisory panel that is dominated by trophy hunters; (8) Enforce the ban on incidental killing in the Migratory Bird Act. I could go on listing dozens more actions needed to reverse harm he has done to conservation but the above steps would be a good start and serve to show he is genuine about “pivoting to conservation.”

Reason 117: Zinke, Congress, & State Departments of “Game” are failing to deal with Crisis of Huge Drop in Excise Tax for Wildlife Restoration Fund. New Data on Excise Taxes on hunting-angling shows HUGE decline in pistols-firearms-ammo revs-down 31%-33% from 2017. There also has been a long-term decline in hunters shown by 2016 USFWS survey. So what has Congress, Zinke, & states response been? They want to spend wildlife restoration $ to recruit new hunters! This a futile losing strategy. We need to get new revenue sources such as general tax funds which would be well justified—to preserve wildlife for future generations. Expanded excise taxes on wildlife related activities such as Bird Feeding, binoculars, etc. would also make sense. At the state level, we also need new or expanded non-game-related revenue sources—some states have done a bit in this area but not enough & most states have done little or nothing. Instead, Congress is moving the WRONG way-their only action is to rewrite excise law (known as Pittman-Roberson) to allow use of wildlife funds to recruit new hunters! There also needs to be a total revolution in leadership of state agencies: I have been reviewing the leadership (e.g., directors and advisory commissions) for the state “Game” (tellingly, that is what a large percentage have in their titles) departments and not surprisingly, the leadership is overloaded with hunters with conservation-non-game interested people in a small minority in most states. Zinke is a total loss as a leader. Far from taking leadership for developing conservation of wildlife, he has demonstrated that he cares only about wildlife that can be used as trophies and he is going in the opposite direction from that needed. (See my blog’s Reasons #100, 99, 93, & 89 for documentation on Zinke trophy obsession). The USFWS survey showed that more people are WATCHING wildlife and revenues related to wildlife viewing are INCREASING while revenues from hunting are dropping. This has been a LONG-TERM trend—it’s been going on for more than a decade and there is every reason to believe it will continue if not escalate. For data to support these points: see Wildlife Management Institute report on excise taxes (Note: they are a PRO-HUNTNG organization!) https://wildlifemanagement.institute/outdoor-news-bulletin/may-2018/second-quarter-excise-tax-receipts-show-continued-drop-wildlife and the 2016 USFWS survey of wildlife related activities including watching and hunting, see https://wsfrprograms.fws.gov/Subpages/NationalSurvey/nat_survey2016.pdf

Reason 113: Zinke puts people like Susan Combs in charge as Acting Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife and Parks despite the fact that her “to save” endangered species like the Dunes Sagebrush Lizard in Texas allowed energy companies to self-regulate their efforts in such a flawed way that the State of Texas now has to redo the plan which does not monitor sand mining which is a major threat and she touted a “popular credit swap program” that was useless to saving the lizard—oil & gas paid contractors to remove mesquite but system provided no sig benefit for the lizard. In short, Combs like Zinke does not care about conservation—her only goal is to avoid restrictions on oil & gas to improve their profits. For detail analysis of Combs and Texas failings, see https://www.mystatesman.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/exclusive-citing-fatal-flaws-texas-rewrites-plan-save-rare-lizard/kpUCClUTA5Wov5JIj4NI3K/

Reason 111: While Zinke continues to undercut and underfund conservation-related activities of Interior, he is now spending MORE resources on immigration! He is assigning more Park Service employees to protect the border even though this is the function of the Department of Homeland Security. This shows once again the utter bankruptcy of Zinke—he is actually opposed to protecting public lands & conservation—he cares only for oil, gas, coal, welfare ranchers, and trophy hunters. For story on assignment of NPS officers to immigration functions, see http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/386570-interior-is-sending-officers-to-assist-patrolling-the-us-mexico

Reason 110: Zinke's own state, Montana, rejects Zinke policies: Univ of Montana poll asked Montanans whether they approved or disapproved of Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke’s recommendations to decrease the size of national monuments. Of the respondents, 29% approved and 62% disapproved of Zinke’s recommendations. See https://news.umt.edu/2018/03/031418poll.php

Reason 109: Zinke has altered scientific reports to omit human role in climate change, unprecedented political interference in government science at the Interior Department, which oversees the park service, according an article in Reveal. The article says that “Jonathan Overpeck, a climate scientist and dean of the University of Michigan’s School for Environment and Sustainability, said the deletions are “shocking from a scientific point of view, but also from a policy point of view.” And “To remove a very critical part of the scientific understanding is nothing short of political censorship and has no place in science,” he said. “Censorship of this kind is something you’d see in Russia or some totalitarian regime. It has no place in America.” See the full article at https://www.hcn.org/articles/corruption-human-role-in-climate-change-removed-from-science-report?utm_source=wcn1&utm_medium=email

Reason 108: Zinke is trying to kill a BLM rule that required oil & gas corps to repair leads of methane—even tho Senate voted this down. This change would save oil-gas lots of money but cause taxpayer to lose millions in royalty payments. Just one more example of how Zinke puts oil-gas-coal above conservation & public lands. ​

Reason 105: Zinke’s Conception of Conservation: Mining helps the land! Zinke thinks that Sage Grouse love oil wells and that mining western land is good because it makes land more productive when you “mix top soils”. See full extent of his ignorance on these & climate change at https://www.eenews.net/stories/1060079255

Reason 100: Zinke’s only interest in wildlife is trophy hunting but data on hunting from the 2016 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife PROVE that hunting continues to DECLINE with big decreases in hunting. Likewise, Excise tax revenues show a HUGE decline in revenues (33% to 37%) for pistols, firearms, and shells-cartridges. Indeed, the Wildlife Management Institute, a PRO-HUNTING organization states that “These numbers do not paint a very bright future for state fish and wildlife agency funding and the future of hunting and fishing.” These findings demonstrate that Zinke’s total focus and revenues derived from and his ignoring wildlife conservation and non-game species is disastrous. USFWS’s 2016 shows that the number of hunters continued a two-decade steady decline. By way of contrast, non-consumptive uses of wildlife continued a steady increase with 20% increase in those who watch nearby their homes and 3 percent increase in those who travel to view wildlife. The message is clear: We need to refocus the Interior Department’s and Zinke’s focus on trophy hunting—they are destroying wildlife conservation. New revenue sources not based on hunting need to be tapped. Zinke’s “leadership” is destroying conservation in the U.S. and is contrary to what MOST AMERICANS want from Interior and State wildlife agencies. The Excise data & Wildlife Management Institute data are available at: Wildlife Management Institute. https://wildlifemanagement.institute/outdoor-news-bulletin/february-2018/excise-tax-update The USFWS 2016 survey is available at https://wsfrprograms.fws.gov/Subpages/NationalSurvey/nat_survey2016.pdf​

Reason #99: Zinke does not seek balanced advice—he only listens to those he agrees with. For example, his hunting council is composed of celebrity hunting guides, representatives from rifle and bow manufacturers, and wealthy sportspeople who boast of bagging Big 5 trophies. “Most are high-profile members of Safari Club International and the National Rifle Association, groups that have sued the Fish and Wildlife Service to expand the list of countries from which trophy kills can be legally imported.” See Asso. Press story on this meeting at https://www.wsj.com/articles/APae53d56159b1468ca837db22538ce82e?mod=searchresults&page=1&pos=1

Reason 95: Zinke will save parks by destroying public lands while cutting Interior Budget. Zinke’s Interior propose to provide funding for national parks infrastructure needs by taking money from energy developments on Federal lands and waters. At the same time, he is proposing a 10% CUT to the Interior budget. So he brags about plan to “fund national parks” while cutting money from the budget of the agencies that run the parks & by destroying public lands and waters—that is the Zinke-Trump approach to conservation—fund parks by killing public land and conservation. See https://www.eenews.net/gw/2017/02/28 and https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2018/03/07/stories/1060075699​

Reason 92: Zinke wants to kill unburdensome regs such as Obama’s Methane regulations for no good reason other than he wants zero minimum regulation of extractive industries. An article by Jonathan Thompson details the harm that would be done to the environment & conservation for the very minor costs that regulation costs extractive industries. https://www.hcn.org/articles/methane-rules-in-danger?utm_source=wcn1&utm_medium=email

Reason 88: Zinke appoints the worst people possible for Interior—those pushing for extractive industries with interests opposed to those of conservation. For example, Douglas Domenech Asst. Sec. for Insular Affairs is having his duties expanded. His qualifications? He lobbied for them, encouraged drilling on Virginia’s oceanfront, and authored the “moral case for fossil fuels”—an effort funded by Kochs & extractive industries. See https://departmentofinfluence.org/person/doug-domenech/

Reason 81: Zinke is a threat to endangered species not only in the U.S. but worldwide. He is “stocking international wildlife panel” with big-game hunters, thus threatening attempts to save species like lions, elephants, and tigers. See E&E News at https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2018/01/18/stories/1060071325

Reason 79: Zinke has totally ignored not only overwhelmingly majority of input from environmental-conservation groups but even that from the National Park Service Board that is supposed to provide guidance for his decisions—so much so that ALL of the members led by former Alaska Governor Tony Knowles resigned. By way of contrast, he is filling Interior positions with former employees of extractive industries. See https://www.mprnews.org/story/2018/01/17/npr-majority-of-national-park-service-board-resigns

Reason 78: Fish and Wildlife: Are they conservation agency or do they exist to foster “energy dominance?” Zinke’s USFWS is debating whether to remove goal of “net conservation gain” as goal of mitigation due to pressure from extractive industries. Actually, research shows that mitigation areas to compensate for loss of sensitive areas are often far inferior to the habitat being lost due to developments. Removal of this requirement is one more example of total abandonment of their conservation priority by this agency due to Zinke. See https://www.eenews.net/stories/1060070959

Reason 77: Zinke lies shamelessly and repeatedly. The New York Times reported that Zinke claimed that “there is no mine within Bears Ears” but actually there were “300 uranium mining claims inside the monument” and he brought alone Energy Fuels, the CANADIAN Uranium Mining company on his trip to Bears Ears while refusing to meet with Native American groups opposed to mining—but he claims that he claims he heeded “LOCAL voices” in his decision. See https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/13/climate/trump-uranium-bears-ears.html?_r=0

Reason 75: Zinke & his Bureau of Land Management deleted webpages concerning climate change, renewable energy, and the overall mission of the agency. He has undermined science and ignored the conservation mission of the agency. His totally unbalanced actions to achieve “energy dominance” make a travesty of the Interior Dept.—it has become the Department of Extractive Industries & Welfare Ranchers. See https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/climate-webpages-erased-and-obscured-under-trump/

Reason 74: Zinke ignores science in favor of politics in giving grants. E&E News reports that “The Interior Department will now funnel certain grants through a political screening intended to ensure the federal dollars "better align" with the administration's "priorities," according to a newly revealed memo. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2018/01/09/stories/1060070507

Reason 73: Zinke names the least qualified, indeed the worst people possible, to head agencies under Interior. They oppose the missions of the agencies they are supposed to head and do everything they can to undermine them. For example, reports from E&E News say that Zinke will name a former park superintendent head of the National Park Service despite the fact that he helped wealthy people cut down trees. See https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2018/01/05/stories/1060070251

Reason 67: Zinke wants to mine on the Edge of Boundary Waters Canoe Area—an action previously blocked by Obama. He again shows is all out commitment to extractive industries—he could care less about conservation. He regards Interior as a Federal Mining Company. See http://www.wildlifepolitics.org/blog

Reason 66: Zinke’s Department ordered the National Academies study on the safety of offshore drilling to be stopped—another example of his all out reckless exploitation of natural resources with no concern for conservation & explicit rejection of science. See Gronewold, E&E News at https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2017/12/22/stories/1060069795

Reason 65: Zinke’s Interior Dept. is proposing to allow continued commercial fishing in the first U.S. Atlantic Ocean marine monument that researchers have called “an incredible biodiversity hotspot.” Trump Administration Facing Battle Over New England Marine Monument. A no-fishing monument actually supports fishing because it allows fish “re-establishment zone” where populations are revived due to the lack of “human harvesting.” See Hladky’s Hartford Courant article at http://www.courant.com/politics/hc-pol-coral-canyons-trump-threat-20171215-story.html

53. Even Republican supporters of Ryan Zinke now regret that he is head of Interior—they see that he lied when he said he was a “Teddy Roosevelt Republican.” See E&E News at https://www.eenews.net/gw/2017/11/27

50. Zinke, the head of the Interior Department, has no comments about Bundy—the man who refuses to pay for his usage of public lands & who threatened BLM (Interior Department) personnel with guns when they tried to enforce Interior Department Regulations. Actually, it is a wonder why he hasn’t come out and supported & lauded Bundy—they are of the same mindset—the hell with conservation. https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2017/11/07/stories/1060065865​49. Zinke’s Interior: Everything for Hunters, Nothing for Wildlife Conservation: According to E&E News, Zinke has expanded “hunting opportunities” at 9 wildlife refuges and opened another to sport fishing”—emphasizing that he does not care about the original purpose of refuges—to conserve wildlife—not kill it. https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2017/11/07/stories/1060065877

48. Zinke’s Terrible Personnel Management Policies: E&E News reports that Zinke has left important positions in the Interior Department vacant for an “unusually long time.” At the same time, he has hired former Navy Seal as his “recreation czar.” This reinforces his view of his department as a military force & does not tolerate anyone who cares about priorities other than Zinke’s—i.e., making money for extractive corps. & public land welfare ranchers—except for unethical hunters. https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2017/11/07/stories/1060065875

43. Zinke is going to eliminate Obama leasing reforms that keep energy development away from national parks and other environmentally sensitive areas. These reforms gave a voice to local and regional interests in how oil and gas is developed. For example, the reform closed 145,000 acres of federal lands near the Arches and Canyonlands national parks to future mineral leasing, capped well densities on projects in sensitive areas, and placed no surface occupancy restrictions on about 306,000 acres "that are highly valued for scenery and recreation.” See Scott Streater, Key Obama-era leasing reform to get the ax” at https://www.eenews.net/stories/1060064921

41. Zinke’s PAC has used unethical practices, focusing on getting donations from small donors who can ill afford these contributions and then spending most of the money on overhead. He continues to “closely associate with a PAC, ForthRight Strategy, whose former executive pleaded guilty to child pornography charges.” See Lefebre & Juliano, Politico, at http://www.politico.com/story/2017/10/24/zinke-fundraisers-republican-operatives-244094

40. Zinke refuses to say why he is cutting back monuments when overwhelming public support for them. See the YouTube Video where Zinke is interviewed about public monuments & can’t defend his recommendations to cut them. His position on monuments is especially notable because during his confirmation hearings he described himself as a “Teddy Roosevelt Republican”—Teddy Roosevelt is the president who pioneered the use of monuments for conservation. Zinke once again proves that he a liar and a hypocrite and his administration has no transparency. The video is at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5WeTDZMGZQ

39. Zinke’s Way: Everything for Hunters—Nothing for Wildlife Conservation. The USFWS is working on a plan to allow hunters to kill trumpeter swans—a species that has been protected. The purpose of this change is to protect hunters who (supposedly) mistakenly shoot the trumpeters & thought they were aiming at tundra swans—an unprotected species. This is simply another example of Zinke’s Interior Department & the Trump Admin. prioritizing unethical hunting over wildlife conservation goals. Similarly, USFWS is removing protections from wolves & grizzlies because they compete with hunters for elk and other “game species”—the only species that Zinke is interested in. Zinke wants to broaden use of lead bullets and fishing gear to pander to unethical hunters-fishers who don’t want to spend a few more pennies to protect species from their harmful effects. The Trump Admin. is pushing a Sportsmen’s bill that will allow silencers because they are concerned about harming hearing of hunters as they kill animals. Zinke and the Trump Administration have sho[BR1]wn absolutely no interest in wildlife conservation—they will undoubtedly welcome the legislative moves to undermine (if not eliminate) the Endangered Species Act. Zinke, the Trump boys, and their friends like to kill wildlife—not preserve it. Article on Trumpeter Swans is available at: http://www.therepublic.com/2017/10/14/us-swan-hunting/

35. Zinke Strikes Again: He has approved drilling near national monuments & parks—Oil, Coal, Gas Win, Conservation loses: Every day brings news of another Zinke action against the conservation goal of the Interior Dept. He will allow drilling near the Dinosaur National Monument and also approved oil and gas leases near Zion National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, Chaco Culture National Historical Park, Hovenweep National Monument and Fort Laramie National Historic Site. Zinke has shown no interest whatsoever in the conservation goals of the Interior Dept. See story by Stephen Nash of New York Times at:https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/18/travel/drilling-near-dinosaur-monument.html?emc=edit_tnt_20171018&nlid=10365419&tntemail0=y

33. In just 2 years in Congress, Zinke received 350K from extractive industries. He is paying them back by turning public lands into mining-oil-gas moneymaking industries while destroying habitat & caring not at all for conservation aspects of Interior Department: https://wildernesswatch.org/

14 Zinke is totally focused on hunting and game species—he cares nothing for non-game animals and the vast majority of the public who like to watch wildlife instead of hunt it. But these non-game watchers spend far more money and support communities near conservation areas than hunters. EE News: https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/stories/1060061129/most_read

9 Zinke is giving more “flexibility” to welfare ranchers on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in how cows graze public lands. There is a mountain of evidence such as that described in George Wuerthner’s Welfare Ranching (book) and Lynn Jacobs Waste of the West (book) that ranching is harmful to the lands and wasteful subsidy of the welfare ranchers who abuse the land. The BLM’s own survey shows their lands are in terrible shape though they try to deny that it is due to omnipresent welfare rancher grazing. EE News: https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2017/09/22/stories/1060061495

8 Zinke doesn’t understand or doesn’t listen to science—for example, he focuses on sage grouse populations instead of habitat conservation and proposes using captive breeding to support sage grouse—both approaches are discredited by science. Audubon: http://www.audubon.org/magazine/fall-2017/zinkes-new-conservation-plans-will-hurt-not-help7 Zinke has accused Interior employees of disloyalty—showing that he does not understand the purpose of the department he heads. His “loyalty” comments have been roundly condemned by public employees & ethicists. His concept of loyalty is based on loyalty to the chain of command—Trump and Zinke—while employees should be loyal to the assistance Interior provides to the U.S.—not Trump, Zinke, and extractive industries. EE News: https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2017/09/26/stories/1060061733

4 In hearings for his job, he claimed he was a “Teddy Roosevelt Republican” but TR was the first president used the Antiquities Act to expand monuments while Zinke is pushing major cutbacks to monuments. These cutbacks despite conclusive survey evidence that western state citizens support monuments & don’t want to cut them—only small but powerful extractive industry and welfare ranchers favor cutbacks: E&E News: https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2017/09/27/stories/1060061887

​​During my research for the book, I noticed that there was no blog available for sharing informaton on wildlife conservation and thus I set up this blog to accomplish this purpose. Please share any informaticoncerning issues related to wildife policy and politics. I welcome feedback from users concerning this blog and website.